Northwestern University Athletics
Twelve Wildcats Selected in Women's Professional Lacrosse League Draft
8/23/2017 8:48:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
EVANSTON, Ill. — The Northwestern lacrosse program was well represented during the inaugural Women's Professional Lacrosse League draft Tuesday evening.
A total of 12 former Wildcats were selected by the five teams that will make up the new league set to debut at the US Lacrosse headquarters in Sparks, Maryland on Saturday, September 30.
A two-time Tewaaraton Award winner for the Wildcats and an assistant coach last season, Hannah Nielsen '09 was the first 'Cat taken off the board by the Philadelphia Fire in the second round. She will be joined on the Fire by Colleen Magarity '11, Kaleigh Craig '16, Spring Sanders '16 and Catie Ingrilli '17.
Alyssa Leonard '14 was selected in the fourth round by the Baltimore Brave and Kara Mupo '15 was selected by the New England Command. Mupo will team with fellow 2015 graduate Bridget Bianco and former NU student-athlete and assistant coach Danielle Spencer '10.
A captain of the 2017 'Cats, Christina Esposito will play for the Upstate Pride alongside former teammate Lauren Murray '16, while Katrina Dowd '10 was selected by the New York Fight.
In addition to the showcase game, the WPLL will be paying homage to those players and coaches that paved the way for women's professional lacrosse through its Legends Celebration. The celebration will honor players and coaches, alike, who have made incredible contributions to the sport and have helped drive women's lacrosse forward at the youth, high school, collegiate, post-collegiate and international levels.
A total of 12 former Wildcats were selected by the five teams that will make up the new league set to debut at the US Lacrosse headquarters in Sparks, Maryland on Saturday, September 30.
A two-time Tewaaraton Award winner for the Wildcats and an assistant coach last season, Hannah Nielsen '09 was the first 'Cat taken off the board by the Philadelphia Fire in the second round. She will be joined on the Fire by Colleen Magarity '11, Kaleigh Craig '16, Spring Sanders '16 and Catie Ingrilli '17.
Congrats to our #ProCats on their selection to the @Philly_Fire of @prowomenslax! #B1GCats pic.twitter.com/Rdfxr7aZxO
— Northwestern Lax (@NULax) August 24, 2017
A match made in heaven. @CMagarity13 and the @Philly_Fire! #ProCats | #B1GCats pic.twitter.com/qPjnOzUmja
— Northwestern Lax (@NULax) August 24, 2017
Alyssa Leonard '14 was selected in the fourth round by the Baltimore Brave and Kara Mupo '15 was selected by the New England Command. Mupo will team with fellow 2015 graduate Bridget Bianco and former NU student-athlete and assistant coach Danielle Spencer '10.
Add to the list of #ProCats. Alyssa Leonard is joining the @Baltimore_Brave of @prowomenslax! #B1GCats pic.twitter.com/GMm8NULELv
— Northwestern Lax (@NULax) August 24, 2017
A trio of #ProCats joined the @NE_Command of @prowomenslax tonight! #B1GCats pic.twitter.com/K6fGOpji13
— Northwestern Lax (@NULax) August 24, 2017
A captain of the 2017 'Cats, Christina Esposito will play for the Upstate Pride alongside former teammate Lauren Murray '16, while Katrina Dowd '10 was selected by the New York Fight.
A pair of #ProCats are joining @Upstate_Pride of @prowomenslax! #B1GCats pic.twitter.com/B6dLqZVRYZ
— Northwestern Lax (@NULax) August 24, 2017
The opening weekend will act as a preview of what's to come in the WPLL, which formally opens play summer 2018. The showcase game will feature players from all five teams officially drafted into the WPLL on August 23rd, which will be streamed live on Lax Sports Network, and display some of the many new rules the league will employ.Rounding out the #ProCats as a part of the inaugural @prowomenslax season, @KatrinaDowd4 will play for the @NY_Fight! #B1GCats pic.twitter.com/cKTl8UNuuK
— Northwestern Lax (@NULax) August 24, 2017
In addition to the showcase game, the WPLL will be paying homage to those players and coaches that paved the way for women's professional lacrosse through its Legends Celebration. The celebration will honor players and coaches, alike, who have made incredible contributions to the sport and have helped drive women's lacrosse forward at the youth, high school, collegiate, post-collegiate and international levels.
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