ASHKELON, ISRAEL – Delaney Benson, a native of Carlsbad, CA who has represented the blue-and-white on the field since 2019, will relocate to Israel in October to participate in Israel Lacrosse’s Masa Gap Year program.
Benson will live like a local, train, compete, and directly contribute to the grassroots development of the sport in Israel. The 22-year-old midfielder will also have a prioritized opportunity to be evaluated to compete at the Women’s World Lacrosse Championship, held in Towson, MD from July 7-17, 2021.
Benson represented Israel for her first time in 2019 as a member of the Women’s Festival Team, competing alongside the 2019 European Championship in Netanya, Israel.
“We are so excited Delaney will be joining us this year,” said Sarah Meisenberg, Director of Women’s Lacrosse and Acting Women’s Head Coach. “She worked incredibly hard last summer at our Women’s European Championships and demonstrated a lot of passion for our mission and the growth of the lacrosse in Israel. She will be a great addition to our program.”
Benson graduated from Fort Lewis College in 2020, playing four years for the Skyhawks, and was a former player at Carlsbad High School where she was voted all-star for CIF-SDS in 2013 and 2014.
Israel Lacrosse has worked with Masa Israel since 2015 to provide young adults between the ages of 18-30 immersive and life-changing international experiences, including internship experiences in Israel. Israel Lacrosse is the nation’s fully functioning National Governing Body of the sport that has a large range of internships and opportunities to offer. Participants of our gap year programs have the opportunity to build their resume, learn Hebrew, interact with Israelis, and contribute to growing the sport of lacrosse in Israel.
Athletes who are interested in learning more about the Israel Lacrosse Gap Year program should contact Director of Women’s Lacrosse, Sarah Meisenberg, at [email protected].