Lacrosse Group Rallies for ‘Light the Fight’ Clinic

IAAM Lacrosse is thought for setting a excessive bar for stellar play within the higher Baltimore area. Conference head-to-head contests are sometimes steeped in rivalry and aggressive spirit.

Beyond the extreme faceoffs, the sportsmanship and mutual respect woven via the close-knit lacrosse group runs deep.

So when it grew to become identified within the native lacrosse world that McDonogh assistant lacrosse coach Natalie Wills was in a battle, taking over metastatic breast most cancers, a number of IAAM colleges didn’t hesitate to heed the decision to boost their sticks in a rally cry of assist.

Those sticks will come collectively for a “Light the Fight” fundraising youth clinic hosted at McDonogh on September 27, 2025, from Sept. 11 a.m. 

“Natalie has been such a gift to our program, and you would never know from the outside looking in that this is the battle she’s fighting right now because she is just sunshine,” stated occasion organizer and McDonogh head lacrosse coach Megan Nicotra. “She’s always smiling, she’s always positive, and she’s always focused on how she can help everyone else.”

Wills’ roots with the IAAM return to her highschool enjoying days at St. Mary’s, the place she was an Under Armour All-American, and a two-time first-team All-County honoree.

After highschool, Wills excelled as a goalie at Vanderbilt, incomes three-time SEC Academic All-American nods. During her time on the pitch, one in all her faculty teammates was Ally Carey, a present assistant lacrosse coach at John Carroll. Wills, Carey and a core of Commodore teammates have remained shut all through the years.

“Getting to know Nat better through our time at Vandy, she is the ultimate hype woman and most supportive friend. She would do anything for you,” praised Carey, who famous that Wills’ nickname is “Natlax” due to her unyielding ardour for the sport. “Her infectious smile and laugh make her perfect for coaching, and her drive to win mixed with her love of the game is the balance all high school players need. She brings another level of energy that kids just gravitate towards.”

Wills’ success didn’t cease in faculty. She continued to commit herself to the game she liked, enjoying goalie on the US nationwide crew, excelling as an assistant coach in high-profile collegiate packages at Boston University and the University of Maryland, after which transitioning to full-time work for USA lacrosse the place she made her mark in a developmental pipeline program she credit as being “a great celebration of the game”.

When her most cancers prognosis required Wills to reduce on her work to concentrate on therapies, self-care, and interesting in issues that convey a stage of enjoyment, Nicotra requested her if she discovered teaching enjoyable. With an emphatic sure for a solution, Nicotra jumped on the likelihood to supply Wills an assistant place understanding that her pal would convey “the type of personality we want around the McDonogh program”.

“I think we struggle sometimes with the high school kids to help them see beyond the competition, beyond the stats, and just put into perspective how lucky we are that we get to play this game we love,” emphasised Nicotra. “Now we have a great opportunity for our conference to come together as at the heart of it, this is so much greater than our sport.”

As a former goalie, it was becoming that Wills started making a right away influence final spring with the Eagles’ goalies, together with Reagan O’Donovan and Brianna Mentzer.

“My favorite thing about Natalie is her supportive and caring attitude as she really wants us to be the best players and the best people, and her positivity does not go unnoticed,” stated Mentzer, a senior. “For me personally, her dedication to us despite having this hardship that she’s going through speaks louder than words.”

“This event means so much to me because of who Nat is. She’s a person who never quits,” added O’Donovan, a senior dedicated to Penn State. “Last season she showed up to every practice with so much energy and joy – always smiling, cheering, and even dancing – regardless of what treatment she had earlier that day. She’s one of those coaches that you can relate to. Just a true warrior and leader.”

Nicotra anticipates “Light the Fight” may draw a whole lot of youth lax gamers 1st via eighth grade, and welcomes each stage of play. Participants can register through the QR code on the flyer.

To date, 9 extra IAAM colleges past McDonogh are providing their lax program’s help in serving to with the fundraiser. They embody Archbishop Spalding, Bryn Mawr School, Garrison Forest School, John Carroll School, Maryvale Prep, Notre Dame Prep, Roland Park Country School, St. Mary’s, and St. Paul’s School for Girls.

Proceeds will profit Wills, however Nicotra provides on the GoFundMe page that “it is also Natalie’s goal to not just fuel her own battle, but to make an impact on those treating, researching, and working towards a cure. A portion of all money raised will be donated to Johns Hopkins and their pursuit of finding a cure.”

“Natalie has given so much to this game, dedicated her life to growing it, and this event opens the door for lacrosse to give back to her,” burdened Carey. “She is extremely strong and has an incredibly positive perspective on life. Natalie’s community will not let her fight this alone.”

A couple of years again, in celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Day, Wills was interviewed by USA Lacrosse to mirror on the significance of sports activities for females. Her phrases profoundly resonate at present as the game she’s devoted her life to, and the individuals she’s touched alongside the best way, hyperlink arms to battle along with her.

“Often, a woman’s greatest strength is the tribe surrounding her. Sports allow women to raise each other up,” cited Wills. “I hope that I can play my part to lift the women around me and continue to do more, speak up, go further, and reach higher. May every arena, gym, rink, pool, playground, court, and field of play be a sanctuary for every woman and girl to find their voice, be brave, build their strength, and call home.”