Dec. 6, 2012

BALTIMORE visit (www.uslacrosse.org)- Ten former Atlantic Coast Conference women's lacrosse players were among 25 players selected to the U.S. Women's National Training Team roster, announced this week by U.S. Lacrosse.

The team was selected from the standing 38-player roster comprising the 2012-14 U.S. Women's National Team, and these 25 players will train with Team USA in preparation for the July 2013 Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) World Cup in Oshawa, Ontario.

These 25 players will represent Team USA at the Sunday, Jan. 27 exhibition against defending NCAA champion Northwestern at Champion® Challenge, a US Lacrosse event. Team USA will square off against the Wildcats at 11 a.m. EST on Jan. 27 at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Team USA will also take on national champion runner-up Syracuse on Saturday, Jan. 26.

The reigning world champion U.S. women's national team, which defeated Australia to win the 2009 World Cup, will announce a final 18-player roster for the 2013 World Cup in early February.

The Team USA roster for Champion® Challenge, listed by position with collegiate affiliation and previous U.S. team experience noted:

"We're very appreciative of the efforts of all 38 members of this year's team and view the announcement of this group as a selection, not a cut," Team USA coach Ricky Fried said. "Champion Challenge is the final opportunity for each of these 25 players to put their final stamp on the tryout and training process. We expect to have some tough decisions on our hands come February, but are confident that we'll select a smart, fast and cohesive group to travel to Canada next summer."

Throughout the Jan. 25-27 weekend, the U.S. Men's National Team will face defending NCAA champion Loyola as well as Notre Dame. Both the U.S. men's and women's national teams will host instructional clinics for youth and high school players in grades 1-12, as well as coaching clinics on Saturday, Jan. 26. The full TV schedule will be released later this year.

For more information about Champion® Challenge, a US Lacrosse event, visit: www.uslacrosse.org/2013championchallenge. For more information about the U.S. national teams, visit www.uslacrosse.org/teamusa.