HISTORY

University of Minnesota Women's Lacrosse started in 2002 as a club team. After a few years, the team was able to earn sport club status which would provide them with the benefits of being recognized as an official club sport at the university. In the early days, the team stayed local and competed against schools such as Bethel, Carleton, UMD, and Moorehead. In 2005, the U of M participated in the first Upper Midwest Women's Lacrosse League (UMWLL) play-off tournament, placing 2nd by 3 goals. The following year, the U of M came in second in a very close game ending in a 1 goal differential. In 2007 and 2008 the U of M earned first place in the newly formed North Central Women's Lacrosse League (NCWLL) securing them a spot at the WDIA National Tournament where they placed 15th and 14th respectively.

2013 was a historic year for the Gophers as they finished the season ranked 10th in the WCLA, the 2nd highest ranking ever achieved by the club.

In 2014, the team made the decision to leave the NCWLL and join the WCLL. This league change requires the Gophers to travel a bit more but also gives them the chance to play some of the best teams in the country!

In 2015, the Gophers won an at-large bid to the national tournament and finished the season ranked 15th and the WCLA and were awarded the Sportsman Ship award for the national tournament.

In 2016, the Gophers entered the tournament seeded 15th and shocked their opponents in the first three rounds of the national tournament, making their first showing at the national championship. The Gophers put up a tough fight against #1 seeded Georgia but couldn't come out with the win. This season was the best a Minnesota team has ever placed on the national scale, and showed that Minnesota is a national competitor!

Throughout the years, University of Minnesota Women's Club Lacrosse has produced many All-Americans, Academic All-Americans, and All-League players. We are proud of what this team has been able to accomplish and we are excited for what is to come!