Israel announces roster for FIL Women’s World Cup

2017 Israel Women’s World Team Roster:

Sarah Andersen Midfield – Coronado, CA Tzedakah: Sticks For Kids	Nikol BaglayForward – Ashkelon, IsraelTzedakah: Baltimore-Ashkelon	Jenna BavermanDefense – Baltimore, MD Tzedakah: Lev Lalev
Gabriela ChebanDefense – Ashkelon, IsraelTzedakah: Baltimore-Ashkelon	Alison CurwinMidfield – Pittsford, NYTzedakah: Friends of IDF	Kimberly DubanskyMidfield – Baltimore, MDTzedakah: Taglit-Birthright
Alexandra FreedmanGoal – Be’er Sheva, IsraelTzedakah: Jewish National Fund	Shirel FreshForward – Ashkelon, IsraelTzedakah: Baltimore-Ashkelon	Leah IsraelDefense – Bloomfield Hills, MITzedakah: Jewish National Fund
Emma LazaroffForward – Tel Aviv, IsraelTzedakah: Neve Galim	Megan LernerDefense – Lutherville, MDTzedakah: Chai Lifeline	Sarah MeisenbergDefense – Be’er Sheva, IsraelTzedakah: Ramot Shalom
Courtney MillerMidfield – Tel Aviv, IsraelTzedakah: Friends of IDF	Rachel MinarovichMidfield – Netanya, IsraelTzedakah: Sharsheret	Blaire NathansonGoal – Ashkelon, IsraelTzedakah: Family Nest Ashkelon
Rachel OzerForward – Moraga, CATzedakah: Ramah Movement	Ali SteinbergMidfield – Suffern, NYTzedakah: Sticks For Kids	Jessi SteinbergForward – Suffern, NYTzedakah: Israeli Society for Autism
Jayme VermanForward – Ashkelon, IsraelTzedakah: Israel Guide Dog Center
Lauren Paul NorrisHead CoachTzedakah: Lustgarten Foundation	Kate GoldsteinAssistant CoachTzedakah: Leket Israel	Halsey DiakowAssistant Coach / PRTzedakah: Friends of IDF

ASHKELON, ISRAEL — Israel Lacrosse has announced a 20-player roster for the Israel women’s national team that will compete in the 2017 FIL Women’s World Cup, which will be held at University of Surrey near London, England, from July 12-22. The roster was selected following a three-day tryout this summer in Be’er Sheva, Israel, and a set of fall exhibition games.

“Selecting this team was incredibly difficult, as we were lucky to have so many talented women tryout. In addition to the level of talent present at the tryouts, these women are bright, successful, and of the greatest character,” said head coach Lauren Paul Norris following the roster announcement. “Getting to know them and see how each of them would make such a significant impact not only as a member of the team, but as part of the organization made the decision that much harder. It really came down to what we needed positionally, and balancing that with the right personalities, where the players were currently residing, and what strengths we needed on the field.”

Teams from 24 countries are expected to compete at the quadrennial Women’s World Cup. The blue-and-white have their sights set on improving their world ranking from their 8th place finish at Israel’s first Women’s World Cup appearance in 2013.

Alison Curwin, Kimberly Dubansky and Sarah Meisenberg return from the 2013 squad.

Three young players who represented Israel at the 2015 U-19 World Championship — Jenna Baverman, Gabriela Cheban and Shirel Fresh — will make their debut for the Women’s National Team.

The roster is composed of both Israeli players, as well as members of the Jewish diaspora, in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL). In conjunction with the Israel Lacrosse Tzedakah Program, each player will be competing in honor of a charity of their choosing.