The University of Wisconsin has one of the best women’s lacrosse clubs in the state. The team consists of 40 or more players each year and participates in both Division I and Big Ten competitions year-round.
Katelyn Edwards is the current president, alongside her two co-presidents, Grace Bernards and Virginia Egan. These three players, as well as the remainder of the executive board, plan the season’s tournaments and schedules. This spring semester season has four tournaments planned around the U.S.
The first tournament of the season was in Minneapolis at the University of Minnesota. The two-day tournament consisted of two games against both Minnesota and the University of Iowa across two days.
The team performed adequately, ending 2-2, falling to Minnesota and winning both against Iowa.
Junior player Ysa Pakowski discussed the results of the game.
“We left everything on the field and did not go down easy,” Pakowski said.
Pakowski has been a member of the Wisconsin lacrosse club for the last two years and has played the sport since sixth grade. She was named one of the four captains of the 2024-2025 season alongside Tascha Larson, Ellie Pettit and Cassidy Darling.
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On day one, Wisconsin put up a 14-2 win against Iowa and a 10-18 game to Minnesota. Day two brought a higher defense, keeping Minnesota with a 10-6 lead and beating Iowa 13-1.
Coming off of the tournament, the team discussed picking up the intensity. For the next couple of weeks, the team will practice inside once a week. This is a result of one of the many challenges that clubs at UW face — scheduling around each member’s academic schedule.
“For our future tournaments, our team has to focus on staying confident the whole game and not falling off toward the end, which was our main issue this past weekend,” Pakowski said.
The team ended March in Nashville, competing in the Wisconsin X Nashville, Tennessee, tournament. Within this, the club was scheduled to play both Vanderbilt University and Kentucky. Due to rain, the squad was only able to play their match against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, winning 17-4.
Looking forward to the next three tournaments of the semester, the team is looking to increase their commitments. For Pakowski this looks like an increase in practice time and for improving individual as well as team skills.
“For practices, we have to work with what we are given, and while indoor practices are not ideal, we have to utilize them to the best of our ability,” Pakowski said.
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Tryouts for the club begin two weeks into the fall semester. Players at all levels are welcomed and encouraged to join the team. Requirements for the club include being a full-time UW student — undergraduate or graduate/professional. There are also seasonal dues required for each player to pay that go toward travel and tournament expenses.
Club involvement and a positive attitude are crucial for this club, Pakowski said.
“Team involvement is deeply important to me — if people do not show up to practices and other team events, it is detrimental to the team,” Pakowski said.
The club is affiliated with the Women’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association, the Women’s Collegiate Lacrosse League, a brand of the WCLA, and USA Lacrosse. Tournaments for the team can range from Illinois, Minnesota and Northwestern to Kentucky, Louisiana and Nashville.
“Showing up, whether you are a freshman or a senior, creates a fun environment and helps push those around you to become a better player,” Pakowski said.