Stony Brook’s Kylie Ohlmiller named to U.S. women’s national lacrosse team
Stony Brook's Kylie Ohlmiller drives on goal during the America East Conference semifinal women's lacrosse game between Stony Brook and New Hampshire on May 6, 2016. Credit: Alan J Schaefer
Kylie Ohlmiller is living a dream.
The junior from Stony Brook women’s lacrosse was named to the 2017 U.S. Women’s National Team last Sunday by U.S. Lacrosse after a three-day tryout at Tierney Field in Sparks, Maryland, home of the organization’s training center.
She made the 36-player team after trying out with a group of 101 players.
“At this point, I’m grateful and I’m happy to be a part of the team,” said Ohlmiller, who is from Islip. “It’s something you dream about when you’re a little girl.”
The three-day tryout was tough for Ohlmiller at first. Adjusting to the speed of the game and the unique defensive plays took time. The electric attacker picked the schemes up successfully, however, impressing head coach Ricky Fried and the rest of the coaching staff.
“I spent three days with the top 100 girls in the nation,” Ohlmiller said. “Whether I made the team or not, my outlook on it was that it was the coolest thing I have ever done.”
Ohlmiller will rejoin the national team for training weekends in September and October.
Team USA won’t play other teams until January, when exhibition games are scheduled against Florida-based colleges, including the University of Florida.
The roster gets cut to 18 players in January for the 2017 Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) Women’s World Cup in Guildford, England. The U.S. has won three straight titles.
“The athleticism and skill displayed was, as always, at a very high level,” said Fried in an official statement. “What we’re more excited about is the ability of our returning players to make our younger players feel like they are part of something bigger than themselves by being here; that it’s more meaningful to be a part of a program than just part of a World Cup team.”
Ohlmiller was a force for the Seawolves this past season, finishing fifth in the nation in points (91) and fourth in assists (47). She was a second-team IWLCA All-American. She is the first player from Stony Brook to be named to the national team.
“You say you’re going to be there one day, but you never actually know if it’s going to happen,” Ohlmiller said. “I’m part of Team USA, and that’s a dream come true.”
