Players Mentioned
Midfield
/ Women's Lacrosse
Attack
/ Women's Lacrosse
Midfield
/ Women's Lacrosse
Photo by: Justin Lafleur
Johansen and Leonard Selected by Baltimore Brave in Inaugural WPLL Draft
August 24, 2017 | Women's Lacrosse, Features
The newly-formed Women’s Professional Lacrosse League will begin play in the summer of 2018
LOS ANGELES – USC lacrosse assistant coach and former All-American midfielder Amanda Johansen was selected by the Baltimore Brave in the first-ever draft held by the newly-formed Women's Professional Lacrosse League (WPLL) on Wednesday, Aug. 23. Former USC assistant coach and Northwestern All-American Alyssa Leonard was also chosen by the Baltimore franchise.
Johansen, who begins her first season as the Trojans' assistant coach, was chosen in the third round as the 14th overall selection. Leonard was taken with the fourth round's second pick as the 17th overall selection. Johansen also played professionally in 2016 and 2017 as a member of the Baltimore Ride during the two-season run of the United Women's Lacrosse league (UWLX). She led the Ride in points, goals, and assists during the team's two seasons.
Current USC associate head coach Devon Wills is also involved with the new league as its Director of Player Relations. There are five teams in the league including the Brave; the Philadelphia Fire, Upstate Pride, New York Fight, and the New England Command.
The league recently announced that it will hold its inaugural weekend at the US Lacrosse headquarters in Sparks, Md., on Saturday, Sept. 30. The weekend will serve as the official grand opening for the league before play formally begins in the summer of 2018. The Sept. 30 showcase features players from each of the five teams. For more information, fans can visit WomensProfessionalLacrosseLeague.com.
USC was ranked No. 8 in the final 2017 IWLCA Coaches Poll following an 18-4 season, which saw the Women of Troy advance to the program's second-consecutive NCAA quarterfinal game. The Trojans went 8-0 in the MPSF's final season and won back-to-back regular-season and tournament titles. USC earned its third straight bid into the NCAA tournament and was led by first-team All-American and two-time MPSF Player of the Year Michaela Michael who finished as the program's all-time leader for goals (234), points (305), and draw controls (422). Lydia Sutton was named a third-team IWLCA All-American. Head coach Lindsey Munday earned her 69th-career victory and guided the program to its highest ranking (No. 3) and second-longest winning streak in school history (12).
For more information on the USC women's lacrosse team, a complete schedule, and results, please visit USCTrojans.com. Fans of the Women of Troy can follow the team on Instagram and on Twitter @USCTrojansLax.
Johansen, who begins her first season as the Trojans' assistant coach, was chosen in the third round as the 14th overall selection. Leonard was taken with the fourth round's second pick as the 17th overall selection. Johansen also played professionally in 2016 and 2017 as a member of the Baltimore Ride during the two-season run of the United Women's Lacrosse league (UWLX). She led the Ride in points, goals, and assists during the team's two seasons.
Current USC associate head coach Devon Wills is also involved with the new league as its Director of Player Relations. There are five teams in the league including the Brave; the Philadelphia Fire, Upstate Pride, New York Fight, and the New England Command.
The league recently announced that it will hold its inaugural weekend at the US Lacrosse headquarters in Sparks, Md., on Saturday, Sept. 30. The weekend will serve as the official grand opening for the league before play formally begins in the summer of 2018. The Sept. 30 showcase features players from each of the five teams. For more information, fans can visit WomensProfessionalLacrosseLeague.com.
USC was ranked No. 8 in the final 2017 IWLCA Coaches Poll following an 18-4 season, which saw the Women of Troy advance to the program's second-consecutive NCAA quarterfinal game. The Trojans went 8-0 in the MPSF's final season and won back-to-back regular-season and tournament titles. USC earned its third straight bid into the NCAA tournament and was led by first-team All-American and two-time MPSF Player of the Year Michaela Michael who finished as the program's all-time leader for goals (234), points (305), and draw controls (422). Lydia Sutton was named a third-team IWLCA All-American. Head coach Lindsey Munday earned her 69th-career victory and guided the program to its highest ranking (No. 3) and second-longest winning streak in school history (12).
For more information on the USC women's lacrosse team, a complete schedule, and results, please visit USCTrojans.com. Fans of the Women of Troy can follow the team on Instagram and on Twitter @USCTrojansLax.
Lacrosse - USC 16, Arizona State 14: Highlights (2/24/25)
Monday, February 24
Lacrosse - USC 12, UC Davis 7: Highlights (2/21/25)
Friday, February 21
Women's Lacrosse - Colorado 12, USC 9 Highlights (5/2/24)
Thursday, May 02
Women's Lacrosse - USC 21, SDSU 9: Highlights (4/27/24)
Saturday, April 27
