Former Loyola women’s lacrosse star Sydni Black is now a part of the Maryland Charm, one of four teams taking part in the inaugural Women’s Lacrosse League Championship Series.
The WLL is an extension of the Premier Lacrosse League, which began in 2019. The PLL is holding its Championship Series and debuting the WLL at The St. James in Springfield, Va., from Feb. 11-17.
Just like in the PLL Championship Series, the WLL is using a “sixes” format, allowing six players per team to play at one time as opposed to the normal 10. The game is played on a smaller field and is usually faster than a regular lacrosse match. The 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles will also use the sixes format.
“For the longest time in college and growing up, going through high school you think, ‘All right, national championship, that’s the pinnacle of my career, that’s the goal.’ Now it’s, ‘All right, let’s win a professional championship or think about LA 2028,'” Black said on Glenn Clark Radio Feb. 11. “Bringing home the gold for the USA, that’s definitely in the back of everyone’s minds here, definitely mine.”
Black wants to be in the mix for an Olympic opportunity, and she can put herself on the radar with a strong performance in the WLL Championship Series.
“It’s creeping up in the front of everybody’s minds, but we’re three years away now, so trying to get geared up and trying to put your best foot forward every time you step up the field,” she said.
An attacker, Black played four seasons at Loyola and finished her career as a Greyhound with 178 goals, 70 assists and 153 draw controls. After graduating from Loyola in 2024, Black joined Athletes Unlimited Pro Lacrosse League before joining the WLL. AU suspended its lacrosse league in December.
“It is truly amazing playing for Loyola and doing my stint with Athletes Unlimited this summer, nothing really compares to representing my new home state of Maryland and playing professionally for the WLL is an amazing opportunity, an incredible experience so far,” Black said.
Black is a native of Ohio, but she is proud to represent the state that she has lived in since 2020.
“Coming into Baltimore back in 2020 at Loyola, I had an immense amount of pride immediately just putting on a Loyola jersey, you get that whole Maryland-Baltimore feeling,” Black said. “… I’m a Marylander at heart and I’m super pumped to be representing them.”
Another reason why Black is excited to suit up for the Charm is that she gets to play with other lacrosse players representing the state. Her teammates include former Maryland defenders Lizzie Colson, who finished her Terps career with 324 draw controls, and Abby Bosco, who finished with 187 draw controls.
Former Loyola midfielder Jillian Wilson, who scored 181 goals with the Greyhounds from 2019-2023, is also suiting up for the Charm this month.
“I’ve grown up watching all these phenomenal women play, to be able to suit up beside them, especially getting to suit up beside Jillian Wilson again, my teammate at Loyola,” Black said. “Incredible opportunity, so pumped can’t wait to get back with her, but also just show everyone what the Maryland Charm is going to be about.”
For more from Black, listen to the full interview here:
Photo Credit: Courtesy of the PLL