Northwestern University Athletics
Photo by: Jess Rapfogel
Three Wildcats Selected in Athletes Unlimited Lacrosse College Draft
5/31/2022 7:00:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
EVANSTON, Ill. – Lauren Gilbert (ninth overall), Jill Girardi (10th overall) and Ally Palermo (14th overall) have been drafted to Athletes Unlimited Lacrosse, the organization announced on Tuesday.
Gilbert was selected with the ninth overall pick, Girardi was selected tenth and Palermo was chosen with the 14th pick in the draft. Northwestern had the second-most student-athletes selected of any school in the nation.
Athletes Unlimited is a player-driven professional sports organization with basketball, volleyball, lacrosse, and softball leagues that feature some of the best athletes in their respective sports.
Athletes Unlimited Lacrosse follows a unique, player-centric system. Instead of teams competing to accumulate wins, the league's individual players compete to move up the player ranking leaderboards. Players can earn points if their team wins a game or individual innings, as well as for individual feats such as hits, home runs, innings pitched, and game MVP. At the end of the season, the player at the top of the leaderboards is that season's champion.
The league follows an intense five-week schedule. At the start of each week, four new teams are drafted by player captains: the top four players on the leaderboard that week. This way, each week features new teams and new matchups.
Athletes Unlimited is mission-driven and founded on the values of innovation, inclusion and excellence. It aims to empower athletes as leaders, promote inclusive ownership focused on long-term financial and personal well-being of athletes, and bring fans closer to the game by innovating on and off the field.
Gilbert was selected with the ninth overall pick, Girardi was selected tenth and Palermo was chosen with the 14th pick in the draft. Northwestern had the second-most student-athletes selected of any school in the nation.
Athletes Unlimited is a player-driven professional sports organization with basketball, volleyball, lacrosse, and softball leagues that feature some of the best athletes in their respective sports.
Athletes Unlimited Lacrosse follows a unique, player-centric system. Instead of teams competing to accumulate wins, the league's individual players compete to move up the player ranking leaderboards. Players can earn points if their team wins a game or individual innings, as well as for individual feats such as hits, home runs, innings pitched, and game MVP. At the end of the season, the player at the top of the leaderboards is that season's champion.
The league follows an intense five-week schedule. At the start of each week, four new teams are drafted by player captains: the top four players on the leaderboard that week. This way, each week features new teams and new matchups.
Athletes Unlimited is mission-driven and founded on the values of innovation, inclusion and excellence. It aims to empower athletes as leaders, promote inclusive ownership focused on long-term financial and personal well-being of athletes, and bring fans closer to the game by innovating on and off the field.
Players Mentioned
Lacrosse - NCAA Quarterfinals vs Colorado Postgame Press Conference
Thursday, May 14
Lacrosse - ’Cats Punch Their Ticket After Double OT Thriller vs. Colorado (05/14/2026)
Thursday, May 14
Lacrosse - NCAA Tournament 2nd Round vs JMU Postgame Press Conference (5/10/26)
Sunday, May 10
Lacrosse – Northwestern Tops James Madison 17-5 In NCAA Tournament Second Round Clash (5/10/26)
Sunday, May 10
