Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 3/11/23 – from Press Release
The Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) powered by Ticketmaster announced this week the U.S. men’s and women’s lacrosse players that will compete in exhibition matches against the Japan men’s national team and a specially selected team of Japanese women’s lacrosse players. Games will be held on Sunday, March 12, at Fujitsu Stadium Kawasaki in Kanagawa, Japan, with clinics and skills challenges to be held on March 11 and 13.
Sixteen professional men’s players will represent team PLL, which will be coached by PLL president and co-founder, and retired professional lacrosse star, Paul Rabil. Team PLL will compete against the Japan men’s national team.
“It’s an honor to be here to showcase lacrosse, and a great pleasure to lead our All-Stars as they compete against Japan’s best,” said Paul Rabil, PLL Co-founder and President, now Head Coach of Team PLL. “Japan’s bronze-medal winning performance at the World Games was impressive. I’m looking forward to a competitive game, high-caliber skill, and a chance to build my coaching muscles.”
Additionally, 15 professional women’s players representing team Unleashed will compete against Cross Crosse All Stars, a specially selected team of Japanese women’s lacrosse players. Launched by the PLL in 2020, Unleashed is a media and event platform designed to support the growth and visibility of girls and women in the sport of lacrosse.
“Competing internationally is always a privilege. I’m honored and excited to support Team Unleashed in our Japan exhibitions, and to share the game with youth players in the area,” said Rachael DeCecco, Vice President of Lacrosse Product for the PLL, and head coach for Team Unleashed. “I’m grateful to this roster for their commitment to growing the game – watching them compete, both in the Olympic Sixes and traditional field formats, will be a great show of our sport, make for exciting game-play, and inspire lacrosse fans globally.”
Team PLL Roster
- CJ Costabile
- Romar Dennis
- Kyle Jackson
- Jules Heningburg
- Jack Kelly
- Mark McNeill
- Nakeie Montgomery
- Jarrod Neumann
- Andrew Newbold
- Ryan Ambler (Abington, Princeton)
- Rob Pannell
- Sergio Perkovic
- Kyle Pless
- Jerry Ragonese
- Michael Sowers (Upper Dublin, Princeton/Duke)
- Jacob Stover
Team Unleashed Roster –
Head coach Rachael DeCecco (Marple Newtown/Princeton)
- Dempsey Arsenault
- Lizzie Colson
- Lauren Gilbert
- Scottie Growney (Conestoga/North Carolina)
- Allison Mastroianni
- Jamie Ortega
- Mollie Stevens
- Samantha Tracy
- Emma Trenchard
- Kayla Wood
- Sydney Watson
- Madison Doucette (Unionville, Northwestern)
- Paulina Difatta
- Sarah Cooper
- Kelsey Huff
The event will also feature cultural exchanges among the teams, and skills competition like fastest shot and an accuracy challenge. Players from all four teams will also host clinics with local youth players on March 11 and 13.
The international exhibition comes as lacrosse continues its bid for Olympic inclusion in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. Games will be played in both the six-on-six format under consideration by the International Olympic Committee, and 10-on-10 field lacrosse format. The Premier Lacrosse League recently hosted its inaugural Championship Series showcasing the six-on-six format, with games broadcast across ESPN platforms.
Fans interested in attending can purchase tickets here. Games will be broadcast on Gaora, with live updates available across PLL social media platforms. 
