Devon Wills (born March 28, 1984) is an American women's lacrosse player. Having played with the Dartmouth Big Green at the collegiate level, she would become the first female player to sign a contract with the New York Lizards of Major League Lacrosse.[1]
| Born | March 28, 1984 Colorado, USA | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nationality |  USA | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Shoots | Left/Right | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Goaltender | ||||||||||||||||||||
| NCAA team | Dartmouth Big Green | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Pro career | 2003– | ||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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From 2007-13, Wills was a member of the United States national team. In 2016, she became the first-ever draft pick of the Long Island Sound, one of four charter franchises in the United Women's Lacrosse League.
Playing career
editA Denver native,[2] Wills was a two-time All-American in high school at Colorado Academy.[3]
NCAA
editNamed the Ivy League Rookie of the Year in 2003, Wills was also named to the All-Ivy League second-team notice. Wills participated in the 2003 and 2004 NCAA quarterfinals in 2003 and 2004. In 2005, Dartmouth qualified for the national semifinals. In her senior season, Wills was named team captain as the team appeared in the 2006 NCAA national championship game. During her Dartmouth career, Wills also qualified for a spot on the US national development team.[4]
USA Lacrosse
editOne of Wills' first experiences with the US national team included a roster spot on the Prague Cup Touring Team in 2008. With the US national team, Wills would capture a pair of gold medals in the FIL World Cup (2009, 2013).[5]
In the aftermath of the 2009 FIL World Cup, Wills logged a 6.69 goals against average and a 46.6 save percentage. Wills was recognized as the Player of the Match in the championship game. She would log eight saves in the 8-7 championship win over Australia. At the 2013 World Cup in Oshawa, Ontario (located east of Toronto), Wills started all seven games. Overall, she would post a goals against average of 5.58. Wills was named to the training squad that shall prepare for the 2017 edition of the FIL World Cup.
UWLX
editSelected by the Long Island Sound with their first pick in the 2016 UWLX Draft, Wills would gain the start in the first game in franchise history. In addition, said game was also the first in UWLX history. Opposing the Baltimore Ride, Long Island prevailed by a 13-12 tally. Of note, Wills allowed the first goal in UWLX history to Beth Glaros, while also registering the first win in league history.
Coaching career
editUpon graduating from Dartmouth, Wills remained with the program serving as an assistant coach from 2007-08. Serving in the capacities of both defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator, she also helped to start the Dartmouth Winter Lacrosse Camp.
In 2010, Wills joined the University of Denver as a volunteer assistant in 2010. During the season, the Pioneers enjoyed a 13-5 record, qualifying for the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation finals. In 2011, she was appointed to a full-time assistant position on the coaching staff.
Joining the USC Trojans women's lacrosse program in 2013, Wills would become the associate head coach in 2016.[2] Other roles that she occupied with the program included assistant coach, defensive coordinator, and recruiting coordinator. On August 1, 2018, Wills was announced as the new head coach for Harvard women's lacrosse.
Statistics
edit- GP = Games Played
- GAA = Goals Against Average
- PCT = Percentage
- W = Wins
- L = Losses
- GB = Ground Balls
| Season | Team | League | GP | GAA | Saves | Pct | W | L | GB | CT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Dartmouth Big Green | NCAA | 11 | 6.81 | 88 | .547 | 9 | 2 | 31 | 12 |
| 2004 | Dartmouth Big Green | NCAA | 16 | 7.56 | 133 | .530 | 10 | 6 | 49 | 9 |
| 2005 | Dartmouth Big Green | NCAA | 19 | 7.00 | 138 | .521 | 16 | 3 | 49 | 12 |
| 2006 | Dartmouth Big Green | NCAA | 20 | 6.59 | 134 | .502 | 14 | 6 | 64 | 18 |
| NCAA Totals | 66 | 6.99 | 493 | .525 | 49 | 17 | 193 | 51 | ||
Statistics source[5]
Awards and honors
editReferences
edit- ^ Jordan Lauterbach (2014-04-05). "Devon Wills trying to become first woman to play in all-male Major League Lacrosse". newsday.com. Retrieved 2016-04-20.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Devon Wills Bio". usctronjans.com. Retrieved 2016-04-21.
- ^ Ohanian, Paul (January 4, 2024). "Elite Goalie Devon Wills' Path Leads to National Lacrosse Hall of Fame". USA Lacrosse Magazine. USA Lacrosse. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
- ^ "Team USA's Devon Wills uncaged". laxmagazine.com. Archived from the original on 2016-04-25. Retrieved 2016-04-21.
- ^ a b c "Team USA – Devon Wills". usalacrosse.org. n.d. Archived from the original on 2016-04-25. Retrieved 2016-04-20.
- ^ "United Women's Lacrosse League Announces 2016 All-Stars". UWLX. 2016-08-31. Archived from the original on 2016-09-17. Retrieved 2016-09-16.