​Every game in the inaugural WLL season has felt like a relentless battle, and the Maryland Charm-New York Charging rematch in Chicago was no exception. The Charm kept their championship hopes alive Saturday by edging the Charging 16-15 in a thriller that tested both teams to the limit.
The game was a grind from wire to wire, the 48 minutes turning into a constant tug-of-war. Maryland and New York more or less matched each other in team statistics, with only a handful of categories giving Maryland the narrow edge. The win gives Maryland momentum heading into its final regular-season game, and a 55% chance of advancing to the WLL Championship Game on Aug. 15. For New York, the loss doesn’t terminate their season, but with the regular season now in the books, their championship fate now depends on the outcomes of the league’s last two games.
When a lacrosse game morphs into a pendulum swing of momentum, the only way to prevail is to stay composed. That’s precisely what the Charm did. The opening quarter was the highest-scoring period in WLL history, yet Maryland’s defense steadied after those early fireworks, allowing just seven goals over the remaining three quarters, compared with eight in the first.
Head coach Emily Parros trusted Caroline Wakefield, and the move paid immediate dividends. A defense anchored by Wakefield, Abby Bosco, and Maddy Sterling proved formidable, a nightmare to navigate for the Charging. Wakefield’s impact was tangible within minutes: she stepped up to meet a cutter on the crease, delivering a hard hit on Erin Coykendall before securing the ball for Maryland. Wakefield, Bosco, and Sterling combined to emphasize defensive fundamentals and discipline, leading the Charm to a poised and purposeful performance.
Maryland led the way in caused turnovers, finishing with 13 to New York’s eight, a testament to their aggressive approach. The Charm also doubled the ball, especially targeting Izzy Scane, which yielded extra possessions that their offense converted into goals.
Backing this defensive surge was rookie Jenika Cuocco, returning to her alma mater—the Northwestern program where she once helped win a national championship—and delivering exactly what the team needed: a steady presence in goal. Cuocco totaled nine saves with a 64% save percentage, including a crucial stop in the final 30 seconds that denied the Charging a tying goal.
It wasn’t solely the defense driving this win; Maryland’s offense had learned from New York’s previous visit on June 20 and was intent on exploiting the Chargers’ weaknesses. Ashley Humphrey delivered three pivotal assists, showing the offense how to harness tempo and positioning. The Charm enjoyed contributions across their lineup: Ally Kennedy sparked the scoring with two early goals and added another in the second quarter, while Erica Evans, Grace Griffin, and Sydni Black each contributed two goals apiece.
Yet the game’s two standout contributors were Sam Apuzzo and Brigid Duffy. Both players are formidable on their own, and when they ran a two-player game that featured synchronized pick-and-roll movement and sharp cuts, they demonstrated that synergy can create a remarkable edge in a tight matchup. Their duo elevated Maryland’s offense at key moments and helped tilt the balance in a contest decided by slim margins.
As the clock wound down, Maryland’s disciplined defense and opportunistic offense combined to secure a win that keeps their championship aspirations alive and well. With one regular-season game remaining, the Charm have positioned themselves to take advantage of any favorable outcomes and to push deeper into the postseason. For New York, the setback stings, but the season remains within reach if they can close out strong in their final fixtures and leverage any tiebreakers that may arise.