Capicchioni Becomes First Woman on WILC National Team

NEW YORK, N.Y. (February 17, 2011) - Drew Assistant Women's Lacrosse Coach Ginny Capicchioni was chosen to represent Team USA in the upcoming World Indoor Lacrosse Championships in Prague. Capicchioni, a goalkeeper, is the first woman ever to be named to the roster.

Capicchioni was named as one of the five additions to the squad after going through a rigorous three-city tryout of the nation's top lacrosse players this past fall. She is one of two goalkeepers on the team comprised of 23 of the top players in the country, many from the National Lacrosse League. The roster includes several big names, including former Syracuse All-American and reigning League MVP, Casey Powell.

"I just look at Ginny and how much she has done to get minutes and become a better goalie,” said Team USA Head Coach Tom Ryan on ILIndoor.com. “I believe she is absolutely committed to making this team and I think she deserves it based on everything she's done over the past ten years to get the time and play in competitive leagues. She is generally considered the best goalie outside of Erik Miller in the U.S.”

No stranger to playing with the men, Capicchioni is already the first woman to play in a men's professional lacrosse game, first American born keeper to play in a Canadian Championship and the first woman to play for a men's national development program. Prior to her professional career, she was a three-time Northeast Conference Goalie of the Year while at Division I Sacred Heart University and twice ranked in the NCAA's Top 10 in Save Percentage while setting the program records for saves, goals against average and career wins.

"I think that people underestimate the power of faith," said a humbled Capicchioni. "Obviously this road was exceptionally difficult. Over the past eight years, I found comfort and confidence believing no matter where I went to play, someone was always watching. I will bring this faith to the Czech Republic to represent my county."

Cappicchioni and the Rangers have been busy preparing for the upcoming women's lacrosse season. Last year, Drew made its fifth NCAA Tournament appearance in the program's history and has one of the toughest schedules in all of Division III in 2011.

“Ginny making the US Team means everything to our Drew lacrosse family," said Drew Head Coach Kim Christos. "We are extremely proud of her accomplishment and plan to support her by attending the World games this spring in Prague.”

The World Indoor Lacrosse Championship takes place at Telsa Arena in Prague, Czech Republic on May 21-28, 2011. Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, England, Finland, Ireland and the Iroquois Nationals will join Cappicchioni and Team USA in the one-week tournament.

For complete Team USA Information Click Here