Will Baxter in goal for Limestone University - Photo: Limestone University Athletics
While we have a little longer to wait before a return to action here in England, college lacrosse is back underway across America for the 2021 season and we’ve compiled some of the strong English representation flying the flag across the pond.
The England men’s squad continues to feature prominently and following goalkeeper Will Baxter’s move across the water this year, there are now three members of the 2018 Men’s World Championship squad plying their trade across the NCAA.
Baxter has taken up the opportunity to move to Limestone University as a Graduate Student and already firmly established himself as the starting goalie registering 45 saves in his opening four matches.
Meanwhile, Tim Collins is now moving into his senior year at University of Mount Olive, North Carolina, registering 5 points and contributing to a (4-0) season so far while Alex Russell continues his stint at DI Long Island University and has 4 points from their opening three matches.
Timperley’s Marius Robinson and Rochdale’s Aaron Longley have also continued their spells at Mars Hill and Missouri Valley respectively; U20 European Championship MVP, Dan Jones, completes his final year at high school with IMG Academy before a scheduled move to High Point and Jack Bird begins his freshman season at UMass Lowell.
On the women’s side, Hannah Thurston and Zoe Macrae, both members of the England squad at the 2019 Women’s U19 World Championship are now at Division I schools Duke and Jacksonville respectively.
Goalkeeper from that squad Sarah Hearns is also beginning her freshman year at Colby College.
From the Women’s Under 23 squad, defender Emily Beazley begins her Junior year at Detroit Mercy while Isabelle Edwards is embarking on her freshman season at Assumption University.
Another freshman who has already made a storming start to life in the US is midfielder Eleanor Bruce.
A member of the U19 World Championship training squad and a National Schools Championships winner with Berkhamsted, Bruce has racked up ten goals in five games at the University of Montevallo, Alabama.
And there’s not just a playing contingent representing; attacking duo and World Cup bronze medal winners Megan Whittle and Jenny Simpson are now passing on the knowledge to the next generation as DI coaches.
Whittle has moved into her second year as Offensive Coordinator at Stanford after one year at Dartmouth while Simpson also moves into her second season as assistant coach at William & Mary.
In addition Brittany Read, who joined the Women’s World Cup training squad last year, has begun her third year as Assistant Coach at Denver.
With most of the side’s seasons now in full swing we look forward to following all their progress over the next few months.
For any young players interested in finding out more about opportunities to play lacrosse in the USA, contact FirstPoint USA our official USA scholarship partner.
FirstPoint provide personalised support and guidance to athletes interested in pursuing their lacrosse and academic education overseas, helping to match athletes to the right colleges and universities.