From Wicked Local- Topsfield
http://www.wickedlocal.com/topsfield/sports/adult_leagues/x1719672901/Bo...

By Greg Laudani/Wicked Local Boxford
Tri-Town Transcript
Posted Dec 08, 2011 @ 08:28 PM

Boxford — Lacrosse has meant so much to Boxford resident Elizabeth Iorio for the last seven-plus years since she took up the sport as a sixth-grader.

“From there, I really fell in love with the game,” said the Bentley University sophomore, and member of that school’s Falcons team. “I just think in general it’s a great sport for girls because there are a lot of different dynamics. It’s a great combination of hockey and basketball. Team chemistry is so important.

“Also, in lacrosse, finesse isn’t the only way to win, you need heart and hustle,” she added.

Iorio will bring her passion for lacrosse to Europe in June of 2012. The German and Czech Republic Lacrosse partnerships have selected USA Athletes International (see box about USAAI) as the sponsoring organization to represent the United States in the 2012 Berlin Open- Prague Lacrosse Tour in Berlin, Germany and Prague, Czech Republic. This tournament is slated to take place June 5-14, 2012.

“I’m really excited, I’ve always wanted to play abroad,” said Iorio. “This is just a really good opportunity. I’m used to playing on teams with a lot of different girls I haven’t played with before. I’ve played club lacrosse a lot, excited to go.

“I’ve never traveled this far to play. The farthest I’ve traveled [to play lacrosse] is Florida,” Iorio added.

USA Athletes International is responsible for the selection of the coaches and athletes that will be on the U.S. team. USAAI chose Iorio’s coach at Bentley, Carissa Medeiros, to coach the team.

“Michael Daley, my former coach at Stonehill who is now at UNH runs these tours all the time and brings teams to Australia, to Germany, all over the place,” said Medeiros. “A mutual friend of ours, Emily Whetmore, who coaches down in Birmingham, Ala., asked me if I wanted to be her assistant coach on the Australia trip.

“So I called the USAAI organizer and he told me about the tour and what it would entail. However, I already had two of my Bentley players going to Berlin and Prague and I told the organizer that, and he said ‘Oh, you know we have no coach for that trip?’” said Medeiros.

Chelsea Larrivee (of Amherst, N.H.) and Megan Wiggins (of Acton) were the two players going. Taking the offer to be head coach for the Berlin-Prague trip, Medeiros was able to select three more of her own Bentley players, which is where Iorio entered the story.

“What drew me to choose Elizabeth for the tour are the same things that drew me to recruit her in the first place to play for our program,” said Medeiros, joined by Simbsbury, Conn.’s Ally Dorman and Holden’s Kelsie Tidman as the additional Bentley players. “A lot of kids have talent and ability, but she has more than that. She has a drive, a sense of motivation. She’s very aggressive, in a good way, and sometimes, that’s hard to come by.”

Coach and player also get along just fine, which Medeiros attributes to Iorio’s sense of responsibility.

“She gets what we’re doing whether it be extra conditioning, or some sort of drill or if team needs to be disciplined, she’s the first kid to look at me and say ‘we’re right, we need this,’” said Medeiros. “She’s kind of a leader as a sophomore and last year as a freshman. When I was thinking about which kids I wanted to bring abroad, I wanted kids with good heads on their shoulders and kids who I get along with on a personal level.”

Iorio looks at the trip as both a learning and teaching opportunity, and that it all depends on the level of lacrosse that they see in Europe next spring.

“I’m really interested to see if the game is a lot different than here. We’re going to go in there and play our games, and see how the European players react,” said Iorio. “It is also a teaching opportunity. It’s a really big advantage [for all American and European players] to have our coach over there.”

“The trip serves a dual purpose — it exposes the rest of the world to some competitive lacrosse and it gives these student-athletes the chance to go abroad while playing the sport they love,” Medeiros added.

“I’ve never been to Berlin and Prague,” Iorio said. “I’m really excited to sight-see. There are a few different trips planned for the team. I’m excited to see a few things around the area.”

When Iorio was in sixth grade, her elementary school friend Alexa Coleman’s father was head coach of a Masco Youth Lacrosse team. Iorio signed up and was able to be teammates with Alexa and another close friend, Sydney Godett, right through high school.

With Masco, Iorio was a two-time Cape Ann League All-Star (2009, 2010) and she helped the Chieftains pull in a Cape Ann League Large Division title (split with North Andover in 2009). Three times while with Masconomet, Iorio played in the state tournament, reaching the second round of the Division 1 North tournament each time around.

At Bentley, Iorio is a management major with a sports management minor.

“I definitely want to stay involved with sports, and this [trip] is another thing that helps to reinforce that,” said Iorio.

When she’s not studying or training for the springtime college lacrosse season, she is a big music and Boston sports fan.

“I love going to concerts. My favorite was the Dave Matthews Caravan, a festival [featuring its namesake band] down in New Jersey,” she said. “I am an avid Red Sox and Celtics fan. I love to games. [The return of the NBA] is an excellent Christmas gift for me.”

About USA Athletes International

USAAI has been participating in international competition since 1992. Originally called the Midwest All-Stars, the organization provided overseas playing opportunities to baseball players. The success of that program eventually prompted requests from abroad for other sporting teams to participate.

In 1998 the organization incorporated and received its 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, changing its name to USA Athletes International. USAAI now support a total of 15 different sports that compete in 25 different countries throughout the world.

Read more: Boxford’s Iorio selected to represent U.S. in lacrosse tour of Berlin, Prague - Topsfield, MA - Wicked Local Topsfield http://www.wickedlocal.com/boxford/sports/adult_leagues/x1719672901/Boxf...

From Washington College Website http://www.washingtoncollegesports.com/sports/wbkb/2011-12/releases/2011...

Washington College women's basketball captain Sally O'Donnell (Cape May Court House, NJ/Wildwood Catholic), a rising senior, recently played for a United States All-Star team along with rising junior Erin Kile (Benton, PA/Benton) at the 2011 Aruba Friendship Series. O'Donnell reflects on the experience.

After spending eight days in Aruba, I came back with much more than a great tan. I was asked back in October by USA Athletes International to participate in the Aruba Friendship Series to take place in the beginning of June. I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to go with my teammate, Erin Kile. Together, we had the experience of a lifetime, competing internationally while exploring the island of Aruba.

I was shocked at how much culture and beauty could be on an island only 21 miles in length. Every day there was something new to enjoy. One day we took an off-roading jeep tour to see the hidden treasures that Aruba has. The drive itself was an adventure. I was surprised at how mountainous the island really is, and we spent most of our drive climbing huge rocks and going up and down mountains. However, the views were completely worth it! Among the sites were numerous natural bridges, the natural pool, ancient gold mining ruins, and the seemingly endless crystal clear blue water. Pictures and descriptions truly do not do the real thing justice. It was definitely my most favorite day, despite the sunburn I acquired.

We played five games over the course of the trip, three against the Aruban national women's team and two against a 17-18 year old boys team. We won three of five games, which we were all pretty happy about considering we were playing against men who were all almost as tall as Kile with wingspans that nearly doubled ours. Despite each team's competitive edge, there was a constant support that we always felt. The locals welcomed us and constantly treated us with kindness and hospitality.

The one truly unforgettable experience that I had in Aruba was after one of our games. We had a following of about five young boys that couldn't have been any older than eight or nine. They came to all of our games and constantly cheered for us. A few of us decided to give them our blue USA jerseys after our last game. The excitement among all of them was truly overwhelming and humbling at the same time. After playing a full game in 85 degree weather while wearing those jerseys, we were shocked that they didn't care whatsoever and threw them right on. The little boy that I gave my jersey to told me (in broken English) "I promise to practice. I will shoot like you." While we were leaving, they ran after our van still wearing our jerseys and the biggest smiles I've ever seen. That was when I knew that my trip there meant more than just playing basketball, touring the island and getting a tan. Having the opportunity to give such a small gesture in my eyes and it making such an impact on someone else was worth so much more than I could have imagined.

From: sctimes.com article
http://www.sctimes.com/article/20110822/SPORTS04/108220028/Rennecke-colu...

Sam Price has some money to raise this year.

The St. Cloud State women’s basketball sophomore was invited to play on a USA Athletes International (USAAI) team that will play five games in four different countries from May 27-June 5 as part of the European Metropolises Tour next spring.

The 10-player team will be coached by Western Oregon’s Greg Bruce, who is putting together the team based on recommendations.

Price, a 5-foot-9 guard, never tried out for the team and was invited by William Edington, the executive director of USAAI, based on recommendations from other coaches. She has to raise $3,900 to help fund her trip.

“They emailed me and I accepted. It’s for players all over the country. It happened about a month ago. I’m excited to go overseas, I’ve never been out of the United States. It’s always been a dream of mine to go over and play. That’s what I want to do when I graduate. This is a first step in that direction.”

Price has raised a little under $400 for the trip. She’ll try and talk to fans during the season to help raise more and might talk to some area businesses for support.

“I have to do different fundraisers and ask people for donations,” Price said. “I’ve already sent out some letters. I’ll be selling raffle tickets for a free trip to the Bahamas for someone. I know people will want those.

“If I don’t get to $3,900, it will have to come out of my own pocket. I’m just a poor college student so I’d prefer donations.”

Four North Dakota State players have also committed to the team, including Abby Plucker, Katie Birkel, Janae Burich and Dani DeGagne. The team will play games against foreign competition in London, Prais, Belgium and the Netherlands.

The team will get the chance to see European treasures such as Buckingham Palace, the Eiffel Tower, the Notre Dame Cathedral and the historic Anne Frank House.

The USAAI, a nonprofit organization, has been taking part in international competition since 1992. It was originally known as the Midwest All-Stars and only involved baseball.

But the success of the program eventually included other sports. USAAI supports 15 different sports that compete in 25 countries around the world.

Price isn’t sure what the competition is going to be like overseas, or how her game will translate.

“I don’t know about that. I’m just going to play basketball and try to get the ball in the hole,” Price said with a laugh.

Price transferred to St. Cloud State from Kent State (Ohio) last year. She averaged 11.4 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game in her first season in St. Cloud.

During the summer, she’s been working on improving her strength and shooting touch. She shot 34.5 percent from the field last year and 27.6 percent from three-point range.

“I’ve been working on getting a better release on my shot,” Price said. “I’ve been hitting the weight room and I can see the results. Those were my weaknesses last year.”

Price admits that she was too hard on herself last year. As the summer’s progressed, she’s tried to be less of a “mental” player.

“I got down on myself too much,” Price said. “It was my first season of losing basketball and my first year in a new program. We had a lot of injuries, but we still finished around .500 (12-14). I was just happy we got through it.”

With the graduation of Talisha Barlow, Price know her role is going to change this year. The Huskies return post players Reyan Robinson and Jessica Benson from knee injuries and are also bringing in four new recruits. The team has played together in a summer league in the Twin Cities and Price has liked what she’s seen.

“The summer league went really well. We played every Wednesday night,” Price said. “I like our freshmen, they don’t act like freshmen. Our team has really meshed well together. Having Rey and Jess back is going to be huge. It’s just going to be nice to have a full team. It was tough playing with just eight or nine players every weekend.”

To get in contact with Price about making a donation, email her at prsa1001@stcloudstate.edu.

This is the opinion of Times sports writer Andy Rennecke. Contact him at 255-8735 or arennecke@stcloudtimes.com. Read his blog at sctimes.com/Andy.

From strongsvillepost.com website:
http://thepostnewspapers.com/strongsville/Gallagher-playing-soccer-in-It...

Lindsey Gallagher always wanted to see Italy. She just didn't know it would be representing her country in international soccer competition.

The 2009 Strongsville High School graduate and Tiffin University goalkeeper was chosen along with other young women throughout the country to play in matches throughout Italy this summer. The USA women's team went undefeated and did not surrender a goal on their 10-day trip.

Gallagher, a junior majoring in forensic science and homeland security, has played the game since she was four. Her four-year high school career included a state championship her freshman season and state runner-ups her junior and senior years.

USA Athletes International, a non-profit organization dedicated to giving amateur athletes and coaches the opportunity to participate in international Olympic-style sporting events, contacted Gallagher last summer about the possibility of representing her country abroad.

"I was pretty excited when I got word," Gallagher said. "I had other offers in high school, but I passed them up because I didn't know if they were legit or the timing wasn't right. There were a lot of e-mails back and forth to find out more about this one. I'm Irish-Italian. Italy is one place I really wanted to visit. We got the chance to see all the famous places like the Colosseum and the Leaning Tower of Pisa."

Gallagher and the rest of her teammates began the excursion in Milan in the northern part of Italy and traveled to the southern part of the country during the 10-day trip.

The women's team traveled with the men's team on this same trip. Italy is one of the hotbeds of soccer throughout the world. Gallagher found out this is the case for men, but not so much for women.

"The people there want the women to dance. They don't want them to play soccer," Gallagher said. "The women don't try out, they just get on teams because there aren't that many that play."

The style of play is different in Italy than what Gallagher is used to here in the states.

"Their play was different than ours," she said. "They wanted to control the ball with quick passes. They didn't believe in contact. We had a lot of fouls on us. One ref told us if you had the intention of harming a player it was a foul. The game was constantly stopping due to fouls. It didn't affect me so much as a goalie, but it was frustrating to watch."

The American squad just had enough players to field a team. There were a couple of times when Italian players joined team USA to give a player a breather. When an Italian player did join the American team the language barrier became evident.

"Occasionally you would come across one player that knew English, but not very often," Gallagher said. "We had an Italian player as a defender one time and I was trying to direct her. She didn't' understand what I was trying to tell her. It was bad."

The American and Italian teams would have dinner together after the games. The language difference was still a problem, as the Italian coaches did not know English.

The accommodations in which team USA stayed were very nice according to Gallagher.

"The first hotel we stayed at was really modern," she said. "One of them was old-fashioned and that was cool to see."

One of the most memorable instances of the trip was a co-ed game played against local players. It was more of a pick-up game than one that was scheduled. It was played in the northern part of the country.

Gallagher was a little worried what her older brothers would think because they never got to have an experience like this. It turned out they were her two of her biggest supporters. She would take this type of opportunity again in a heartbeat. It's certainly an experience she soon won't forget.

Gallagher, who also spent some time in Costa Rica this summer, will continue her travels. She will be flying to Brazil on Aug. 14 for college pre-season training. Paula Fantini, head women's soccer coach at Tiffin University, is Brazilian.

"I've always wanted to experience playing in another country," she said. "I know a lot of people don't have this opportunity. I'll never forget it. It's a once in a lifetime experience."