After recently placing second in the Pac-12′s 2023 preseason coaches’ poll, the USC women’s lacrosse team is coming into the 2023 season hungry for its fourth conference title.
The Trojans finished the 2022 season with a loss to UVA in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Furthermore, the team said goodbye to the Pac-12 Midfielder of the Year, Kelsey Huff, who graduated last year. Other recent departures include Lizzy Wagner, Michaela McMahon, Elyse Darcy, Kaleigh Brennan and Finley Ueland.
The team heads into its 10th season as a program, anchored by head coach Lindsey Munday. Her consistency, longevity and knowledge in the program have guided the Trojans in all of their successes.
Katie Ramsay, Shelby Tilton, Danielle Carson and Sloane Murphy are returning to captain the squad. The Trojans also welcomed graduate transfer defender Emma Wightman, who played four seasons at the University of Florida before becoming a Trojan.
Along with Wightman, seven freshmen have joined the crew for this upcoming season. Maggie Ramsay, an attacker from Connecticut, is joining her older sister Katie to play together again for one last season. Hollis Mulry also joins Maggie on the attacking end. Defensively, the Trojans added Asjia Roberson to their roster. Kate Gerrity, Lillie Bea Cope, Haley Newton and Hannah Barron round out the newcomers on the midfield line.
With a strong foundation and solid new additions, the Trojans head into the 2023 season as the IWCLA’s No. 18-ranked team; however, they will quickly be tested. They head to the East Coast to start the season and will face No. 3 Boston College.
Other challenges this season for the Trojans are within their conference specifically. Stanford acquired the top recruiting class in the NCAA this past year, and with other threats, such as Colorado and Arizona State, USC expects a demanding schedule.
Two teammates were recently named ILWomen All-American Honorable Mentions. Wightman and senior defender Olivia Dooley earned this title with a combined 65 turnovers in their respective 2022 seasons.
USC finished its 2022 season with a record of 13-5 and a conference record of 8-2. It fell short of Stanford at both meetings in 2022 and plans to squash that streak this upcoming season. Also, after falling to Arizona State in the Pac-12 semifinals, the Trojans expect to give both Stanford and Arizona State a run for their money.
Conference play does not begin until March 17; however, they meet the Buckeyes for their home opener on Sunday, February 19, on McAlister Field. The team is anticipating a challenging but successful season.