Kino Sports Complex Hosts Intercollegiate Lacrosse Tournament for First Time

The Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association brings lacrosse to Kino Sports Complex for the first time this week.  The IWLCA Southwest Cup features teams from across the United States on Nov. 5-7. College coaches will be on hand to evaluate and recruit the nation’s greatest young lacrosse players.

The IWLCA Experience clinic will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., on Friday, Nov. 5. On Nov. 6 and 7, teams will take to the field playing games, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Early November temperatures at Kino Sports Complex are balmy compared to most of the United States. The predicted high temperatures for the weekend are in the low 80s, giving clubs ideal playing conditions.

The IWLCA partners with Elite Tournaments to organize and manage the IWLCA Tournament Series, which includes this weekend’s tournament. Regional tournaments like this one reduce the financial burden on lacrosse clubs and families. 

IWLCA Executive Director Liz Robertshaw said, “Lacrosse coaches and families are vocal and let you know what they want, so we listened and have made changes that we feel will provide for an exceptional experience. The IWLCA began these events to help make the recruiting process more thorough and efficient for our college coaches and create exposure for players interested in competing at the next level.” 

This is IWLCA’s first tournament in Arizona.

“We believe the additional regional tournaments, in non-saturated areas across the country, will be a great step towards achieving our goal to continue growing the game,” Robertshaw said.

“We’re excited to welcome lacrosse to our fields. The teams will play on eight natural grass fields in our South Complex, providing convenience for players, families, and college coaches who can observe multiple players from one vantage point,” Kino Sports Complex Director Reenie Ochoa said.

Team Arizona will take on city teams from Denver, Los Angeles, Austin, and St. Louis, as well as regional teams from the Bay Area, Minn. and British Columbia.