Lacrosse players head to home internationals

Sports Scholars Sophy Coombes-Roberts (Wales), Lottie Van-Pragg (Wales) and Emily Zaborski (Scotland) will travel to the competition at Llanwern High School, Newport with their respective national sides after impressive performances for the University of Exeter this season.

Often referred to as the “fastest game on two feet”, the Lacrosse Home Internationals will see around 200 elite players from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales compete in a round robin style tournament which also features an invitational “Ex Pats” side.

Experienced members of the University’s High Performance Programme, this is not the first time the girls have been called up for international duties.

Zaborski and Coombes-Roberts have both represented their sides at world championship level, Zaborski with Scotland’s U19s in 2007 and Coombes-Roberts for Wales Seniors in 2013.

Van Pragg meanwhile, captained Wales in the 2013 U19 Home International and has been selected to compete for Great Britain at the upcoming Lacrosse Prague Cup in June 2014.

The selection is another boost for the University of Exeter Woman’s Lacrosse Club who finished third in this seasons British Universities and Colleges Sport Premier South League and made it through to the quarter finals of the National Championship.

The club also welcomed a new head coach Kara Bowman in September who is pleased with the players’ progress this year.

She said: “Lottie has become a formidable force in our attacking end, especially in the latter part of the season.

“She wasn't really able to play much in the beginning due to injury, but since her comeback has really stepped up to the plate and did a phenomenal job in the attacking end.

“Sophy was an integral part of our attack this past season. She was a leader scoring goals as well as assisting.  Her competitive drive is really inspirational for her teammates not only during games but also in training.

“Equally Emily has consistently been a key player for the University. Now in her masters year, she has helped drive the team with her determination and ferocity in attack.

“We have a very talented group of girls with us at the moment. For Lottie and Sophy in particular, it's absolutely fabulous that they're only in their first and second year - it's going to be excellent for Exeter that they're coming back next year.”

Wales Lacrosse Coach Travis Taylor added about Sophy and Lottie: “We are very happy with their development and that is, in large part, due to the work that Kara and the University of Exeter are doing.”