Mastroianni and Trenchard step up for Team USA in 2022 World Lacrosse Women's Championship pool play

At the 2022 World Lacrosse Women's Championship, you can find more Tar Heels rostered on Team USA than any other collegiate program. The championship is being held in Towson, Md. with a record 30 nations represented.

Team USA is led by UNC women’s lacrosse head coach Jenny Levy, who is joined by six Tar Heels on the 18-player roster. 

Those six players are midfielder Emily Parros (‘13), attacker Molly Hendrick (‘17), goalie Caylee Waters (‘17), midfielder Marie McCool (‘18), defender Emma Trenchard (‘22) and midfielder Ally Mastroianni (‘21). 

Aside from Team USA, current UNC defenders Brooklyn Walker-Welch and Emily Nalls are representing Canada and England, respectively.  

With the talents of 2022 national champions Trenchard and Mastroianni alongside four other talented Tar Heel alums, UNC is well represented on a star-studded national team that has its sights set on yet another World Cup. 

This highly-decorated United States team moved through pool play with ease this past week thanks to wins over Canada, Scotland, Australia and England.

On June 29, the U.S. faced Canada in what proved to be its toughest matchup of the championship so far. Team USA downed Canada 16-11 behind seven combined goals from Boston College alums Charlotte North and Sam Apuzzo, as well as a hat trick from former Tar Heel McCool. 

In this matchup, neither Trenchard nor Mastroianni started, as both players had more understated roles. Trenchard picked up two ground balls and caused one turnover. Mastroianni had one assist, one shot and two draw controls. 

In the team's following pool games, however, these two Tar Heels stepped into the spotlight. 

On July 1, Team USA trounced Scotland, 20-1. Trenchard got her first start of the championship against Scotland and picked up two ground balls and caused two turnovers. Mastroianni scored for the first time in the championship with an unassisted goal in the first quarter. She also won seven draw controls and caused one turnover.

The following day, Team USA topped Australia, 16-5. Trenchard started again against Australia, winning one draw control. Mastroianni scored an ankle-breaking unassisted goal, won two draw controls, picked up two ground balls and caused two turnovers.

In its final game of pool play, held on July 4, Team USA faced England, a team that was coming into the matchup with a 2-1 record in pool play. 

In a 15-9 win for the U.S., Mastroianni continued to put her flashy skills on display. In the second quarter, the midfielder picked up a ground ball before racing down the field and launching a top-shelf rocket into the cage. 

She finished the game with two draw controls, while Trenchard picked up a ground ball and won a draw control in her third consecutive start at the championship.

With its win over England, Team USA secured the No. 1 spot in the championship bracket. 

This year, Team USA is looking to win its ninth World Cup, with the championship game set for July 9. 

Historically, the U.S. has never dropped below second in World Cup standings, winning eight and earning silver twice in the 10 World Lacrosse Women's Championships hosted since 1982. 

For Levy, Trenchard and Mastroianni, the World Lacrosse Women's Championship is a chance to add to an already triumphant year. 

In 2022, Levy led the women’s lacrosse team to its first undefeated season in program history. 

Along the way, the team set a school record for most wins and captured the program’s third NCAA championship. Additionally, Trenchard was the National Defender of the Year and Mastroianni was the National Midfielder of the Year per the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association.

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