This letter is in response to Ms. Jordan Chase’s letter to the editor about “Girls’ Lacrosse.”

Women’s lacrosse is a fastpaced finesse game that is a uniquely female sport. Unlike soccer and basketball, played by both boys and girls under identical rules, the only component that the boys’ lacrosse game and the girls’ lacrosse game share are the goal cages and even these are in different positions on the field. While players for both boys’ and girls’ lacrosse play with a crosse, the girls’ crosse has one length of stick and the boys’ crosses are of two different lengths for attackers and defenders. The crosse pocket depth also differs for boys and girls. The size of the field, lines on the field, and equipment differs as well, and as Ms. Chase pointed out, the rules and physicality are totally dissimilar.

They are two completely divergent games which share a common name. Much like comparing apples and oranges.

Girls lacrosse dates back to 1890 in Scotland when the headmistress of St. Leonard’s visited New Hampshire and saw a lacrosse game being played. She found, “it is a wonderful game, beautiful and graceful.” From the male-dominated sport originally played to resolve conflict, the women’s game evolved with its own unique set of rules. Today, wellplayed women’s lacrosse conveys beauty and grace. It is fast and demands speed, endurance, agility, skill, and strategy. It challenges the athleticism of its players and few sports require more teamwork from its players.

The 2015 Women’s Rule Book published by US Lacrosse, the governing authority of the game states that “participants in women’s lacrosse must be aware of the Official Rules for Girls & Women’s Lacrosse and are expected to play, coach, officiate, and spectate according to the spirit and intent of the women’s game. Emphasis is placed on safety and good sportsmanship.” As Ms. Chase and her teammates prepare for the upcoming 2015 girls’ lacrosse season, I ask that they give pause to the history and nature of the game we all love and understand and work to appreciate the unique rules and culture of the women’s game. As president of the Maine Women’s Lacrosse Officials’ Association, I assure you that the officials will continue to work to keep all of the players safe and that the game remains fair for all of its participants.

MWLOA welcomes adults interested in becoming officials of girls’ lacrosse or who are interested in learning more about the rules of the girls’ game to visit our website: www.mainewloa.com. Classes for both adults and teen players interested in being certified to referee girls’ lacrosse will begin the first week in March. Good luck with your season.

Sue Perkins
Freeport

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