May 23, 2008

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BALTIMORE - Lacrosse's best-kept secret comes to Baltimore this weekend with the 75th anniversary of the US Lacrosse Women's Division National Tournament, presented by Brine. More than 1,500 players representing more than 70 teams, 32 states and virtually every level of the game will compete in the three-day event at the McDonogh School and the St. Paul's School for Girls.

The event traces its roots to 1933 when the United States Women's Lacrosse Association hosted club teams playing for a national championship. It remained a club event until the 1980s when a Schoolgirl Division was added. That decision has led to an explosion of the event. This year there are 48 teams competing in six brackets within the Schoolgirl Division and additional eight teams of high school seniors. The National Tournament has become one of the most important recruiting stops for aspiring collegiate players.

Among the highlights for this year's event:

• The U.S. women's team will play Canada in an exhibition game on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at the McDonogh School. The U.S. team is gearing up for June's trip to the Czech Republic for the Prague Cup and the 2009 IFWLA World Cup, which will also be held in the Czech Republic. The National Tournament serves as the first round of tryouts for the 2008-09 U.S. Elite and Developmental teams.

• The Heather Leigh Albert Award will be presented to the top player in the Schoolgirl Division. Established in 1994, this award has been won by some of the top women's players over the years, including Sheehan Stanwick Burch (Georgetown's all-time leading scorer and current color commentator for CBS College Sports), Lauren Aumiller (member of the 1999 U.S U-19 team and 2005 U.S. World Cup team), and Katie Chrest (current U.S. Elite team player and 2005 Tewaaraton Trophy winner).

• The Val Walchak Trophy will be presented to the champion in the top flight of the Schoolgirl Division. The Middle Atlantic Region has won the title six of the last seven years, with New York's victory in 2006 the only break in the run.

Admission to the event is $15 for the weekend and $10 per day for adults and for children it's $10 for the tournament and $5 per day.