May 13, 2015
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Jill Doherty is too excited to be nervous.
That’s the mindset of the Vanderbilt attacker after learning from US Lacrosse she received an invitation to try out for the 2015-16 U.S. Women’s National Team. Doherty, who just finished her sophomore season, will be one of 108 lacrosse players to try out for the national team June 12-14 at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.
She’ll be joined by former Commodore and three-time All-American midfielder Ally Carey will join her. Carey is one of seven players trying out who also led the 2013 team to the gold medal at the 2013 Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) World Cup.
After the three-day tryout, 36-40 players will be selected to the national team, which will train leading up to the 2017 FIL Women’s World Cup in Guildford, England. Ultimately, Team USA will choose 18 players to compete for its quest for a third straight world championship.
“Ever since I was little I dreamed of playing for them,” Doherty said. “Just having the opportunity now is surreal. I’m just trying to prepare myself, be ready and try to have fun. Hopefully this will be a learning experience for me. Obviously, I want to make the team but I’m trying to get as much out of the experience as I can… I’m trying to get all my nerves out now because I’m so excited. I’m really actually not even thinking about the nervous side, which is kind of surprising.”
The 5-foot-3 Doherty has been a key element in Vanderbilt’s offense the last two years.
The native of Reading, Mass., has played in all 33 games of her career and made 30 starts. After being named to the American Lacrosse Conference All-Tournament Team as a freshman, she followed up with a superb sophomore campaign. She was named All-BIG EAST Second Team, leading the team and ranking third in the conference with 23 assists. She was second on the team and fifth in the league with 48 points, and her 25 goals was the third-most for the Commodores.
With her quick hands and phenomenal stick skills, she wreaked havoc all over the field. The converted midfielder was among team leaders in ground balls (28) and draw controls (23). She also caused 19 turnovers — second-most on the team and the best total by any non-defender.
“We are so excited about this opportunity for Jill,” Vanderbilt coach Cathy Swezey said. “I know she will work hard and show great effort at the tryouts. I hope she gets to work with our alum, Ally Carey. I know they would work so well together and compliment each other’s talents. We look forward to hearing good news!”
Doherty is one of 13 players who played in the BIG EAST Conference last year, as she’ll also see opponents from Cincinnati, Connecticut, Florida, Georgetown and Marquette. The tryout pool includes current members of the 2014-15 national team, along with players who competed on the 2009 and 2013 national teams that won the gold medal. The pool ranges from those who just completed their freshman year of college to players who graduated in 2010.
“I think it is going to be cool being at the highest level and seeing how these girls play,” Doherty said. “You always try to take things away from good players so hopefully I can learn a lot and meet some new people. I’m just really excited. It means so much to even have the opportunity to try out against some of the best players in the country. I’m really looking forward to it.”
She hopes to glean a lesson or two from one of Vanderbilt’s all-time greats, too. Ally Carey played for the Commodores from 2009-12 and was named to the IWLCA All-American First Team her last three years. Carey, whose No. 2 jersey is retired, is the program leader in draw controls (263) and ground balls (166) and ranks third in both assists (69) and caused turnovers (110). Carey, a native of Bel Air, Md., has been in this situation before, as she was on the 2013 team, along with former Vanderbilt assistant Amber Falcone, that won the world championship.
Doherty met Carey at a Vanderbilt practice last fall, and said she is looking forward to sharing the field with her.
“It’s comforting to know that someone that played in the same program is there,” Doherty said. “I know if I had any questions I can reach out to her. She was really nice the last time I talked to her. I’ve never had the chance to play with her and I always wished that I could have. Just the opportunity to learn from her, she is so amazing so I’m just trying to take in as much as I can.”
