The WHS girls lacrosse program reached new heights this year, as senior tri-captain Alice Manzo became the first player in WHS history to be selected for the Women’s Under-19 USA National Lacrosse Team.
A lifelong member of the Steps Lacrosse club, Manzo’s journey to the national roster began long before her time at WHS. She started playing lacrosse at an early age and immediately stood out for her competitiveness and skill. By the time she was in third grade, she was already playing on the fifth-grade Steps team, competing alongside and against older players. “I was able to play with the older girls when I started playing club, which definitely shaped how I played at such a young age,” said Manzo.
Her mother, Rachel Manzo, remembers that drive early on. “I knew Alice was ‘all in’ for lacrosse when she began practicing lacrosse all of the time. Whether it was practicing her shots at the field, practicing against the bounce back, even in the freezing cold weather or making her sisters have a catch with her, she was determined to improve her skills and her game anytime she could,” said Rachel Manzo.
That determination fueled her path to the Under-19 national team, a process that tested every part of her game. The tryouts stretched over several months, beginning with regional ID camps and progressing to national-level evaluations, to test her strength, determination and resilience. “I was selected alongside 60 to 70 other girls after a nationwide tryout, and we were sent to a 4-day combine in Maryland to fight for our spot on the USA roster,” Manzo said.
When the final roster was announced, Manzo’s name was on it, marking not only a personal milestone but a historic one for Westfield. Manzo said, “I felt so honored to be able to play amongst such a great group of girls, and to represent my nation.”
Since joining Team USA, Manzo has trained and competed alongside some of the most talented young lacrosse players in the country. The experience, she says, has helped her grow as both a player and a leader. “I think USA lacrosse has opened a whole new door for me,” Manzo said. “Being able to play with such talented players and be coached by the best coaches in the nation is truly an honor. Although fast-paced, I believe this training is really going to help me when I get to college.”
Her mom says the achievement is a reflection of years of focus and commitment. “She has had to give up family vacations and time with friends in order to participate in tournaments, games or practices, but she has never once complained, she states it as a fact knowing it will make her better,” Rachel Manzo said.
Her success doesn’t end there. Manzo is committed to play Division I lacrosse at Penn State University, one of the top programs in the country.
Last weekend, Manzo headed to Maryland for her final tournament with the Under-19 USA National Team. As she took the field in red, white and blue one last time, she did so not only as a representative of her country, but also closed out an unforgettable chapter of her athletic career and inspired the next generation of Blue Devils.
