PLU’s women’s lacrosse: How PLU’s newest varsity sport centers community

Pacific Lutheran University’s most recent addition to the varsity roster is gearing up for its inaugural NCAA season! Women’s lacrosse takes the field this weekend as the university’s first new varsity team since 1996, and the group is ecstatic to start playing Division III games this month.

The team, consisting of 16 players and two coaches, kicks off their fifteen-game season on Sunday, February 16, at noon against Eastern Oregon University. All home games will be played at East Field and are free for spectators. The team will be coached by Melanie Rizzotti, who helped PLU’s lacrosse program transition from a club sport to varsity.

Rizzotti grew up playing lacrosse in Washington after her northeastern, lacrosse-loving parents signed her up for a nearby team. Although unintentional, she fell in love with the sport that challenged her to excel as an athlete and decided to coach after finishing her undergraduate degree. 

“I never envisioned being in school and not playing lacrosse,” Rizzotti shares. “Coaching felt like the next natural step to stay involved in the sport.” 

Rizzotti coached the women’s lacrosse team at the University of Charleston for two years. When she discovered the coaching opportunity at PLU, she knew it was the right decision to return to her home state to help launch the university’s lacrosse program.

PLU’s lacrosse club began over two decades ago as a student-run group of athletes passionate about the sport. As the team prepares for its first varsity season, its members share one thing in common: their continued dedication and commitment to the sport. Some players, such as Lydia Flaspohler ‘25, played lacrosse since middle school. Flaspohler, a Minnesota native, shares, “I started playing lacrosse in middle school because of a close friend who wanted to try it but didn’t want to do it alone.” After being forced to stop playing lacrosse amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Flasopher returned to the sport and was immediately connected to a community of life-long friends.

“I really struggled to find community my first semester at PLU and I was really missing playing lacrosse and the team environment that comes with it,” she says. “I joined the team and even though we only had one scrimmage that season and a few practices a week, I would 100% say joining the team was the reason I stayed here at PLU.” 

For students like Taylee Alldredge ‘28, PLU’s lacrosse team was a deciding factor in choosing a university.

“I have been playing lacrosse for seven years, since 6th grade,” Alldredge says. “The biggest factor in my college choice was if they had a lacrosse team, so the team was a big part in deciding to attend PLU.”

This past fall, assistant coach Will Kelly joined the coaching staff, bringing his expertise from lacrosse hotspot Baltimore, Maryland. The athletic department also hired an additional athletic trainer to accommodate the varsity teams. 

“The support that we’ve received from campus and the athletic department has been phenomenal,” Rizzotti adds. She also thanked President Allan Belton for supporting PLU’s athletic programs.

Through the team’s transition from club to Division III, the team’s community-centric culture on and off the field has been steadfast. A highlight of the team’s fall pre-season was their social media content, including videos encouraging donors to give to what they love during Bjug Day 2024 with laughs and smiles across their faces. “What you see on social media is an accurate portrayal of our team dynamic and chemistry,” Rizzotti shares.

Alldredge and Flasopher agree that their teammates are the most supportive and positive group they’ve encountered in their lacrosse careers. They say they help them grow as players and people. 

“My favorite part about the culture is the welcome friendliness and excitement surrounding the team,” says Alldredge. “I have had many negative experiences with teams in the past but have not had any issues with this one, which is why I love it so much.”

Flasopher credits Rizzotti for cultivating a positive environment for the lacrosse team. “I have to give coach Melanie a ton of props for fostering such a positive environment. She is one of the kindest, most empathetic people I’ve ever met and she treats every member of the team so respectfully.” 

“Team culture is my biggest thing, making sure we have a positive culture and environment,” Rizzotti says. “Out of all the teams I’ve been a part of, in both playing and coaching, this is the most positive environment and the girls make that happen. They’re the ones that bring it to life.” 

PLU’s lacrosse players and coaches look forward to many firsts and experiences as they prepare for their first game this month. “I’m really excited to compete,” Rizzotti exclaims. “We’ve got a really great group of girls. The way that we play lacrosse is so fun.”

Samantha Velasco Patiño ‘28 soaks in every moment as she prepares for the season to begin. “Being a first-year student, I’ve been able to just take everything in and observe and get better,” she says. “Everyone has a good relationship and friendship with each other and we are always uplifting each other. I’m looking forward to starting the season and to get out there on the field and play with my teammates. We’ve been working really hard and I’m excited to see us in action.”

Rizzotti shares that she’s eager to see the team play for themselves and each other. “I’m most looking forward to seeing them continue to achieve their goals and see what they accomplish together.” 

Pacific Lutheran University’s women’s lacrosse team will play its first home game on Sunday, February 16, at noon against Eastern Oregon University. To see the complete schedule and learn more about the players and coaches, visit https://golutes.com/sports/womens-lacrosse.