°Â¾±±ô±ô¾±²õ³Ù´Ç²ÔÌý±ô²¹³¦°ù´Ç²õ²õ±ðÌýalumnaÌýFrancesca Gionfriddo ’26 capped off a monumental summer by helping Team Italy take home gold at the World Lacrosse Women’s Championship Division IIÌýin JulyÌýin Poland.Ìý
Gionfriddo and her Italian teammates won gold after defeating Mexico 11-4Ìýin the championship game. The win not only gave the Italian teamÌýgold butÌýserved as a bit of revenge after Mexico beat Italy in pool play during the eight-day tournament.Ìý
“Each part ofÌýthe experienceÌýwas incredible,”ÌýFrancescaÌýsaid. “I am so gratefulÌýforÌýeveryone who has supported me along the way and contributed to my lacrosse journey.ÌýIt’sÌývery specialÌýto be able to play lacrosse with people from around the world, all with such different experiences and perspectives. I feel like I learned a lot just from being surrounded by different styles of play.”Ìý
The chance to play for Italy started through an Instagram ad.ÌýFrancesca, who isÌýItalian-AmericanÌýand has family in Italy,Ìýsaw an ad for aÌýtryoutÌýand took a chance to try.ÌýÌý
“I knew I was eligible for citizenship but had never really looked into doing the paperwork until it became a possibility to play for Italy,” Francesca said. “After the initial tryout (September 2023), my sisterÌý[Catherine]Ìýand I attended annual training camps in Italy and a few more as selections were being made for the world championship roster. Once I learned that it existed, this certainly became something that I wanted to do.”Ìý
During the championship game, Gionfriddo won 7 of the 11 draws she took for Team Italy, serving as the main draw taker for the team. For the tournament, she finished with three goals and two assists. In addition to the success on the field, Francesca noted the experience of being in Wroclaw, Poland, with a group of teammates was amazing.Ìý
“I had never been toÌýPolandÌýso it was fun to try all types of new food. We were there on NationalÌýPierogi dayÌýso the tournament organizers set up a tasting for the players.Ìý
“The team dynamic is alsoÌývery uniqueÌýbecause we all have a lot in common but also many differences.ÌýÌýEveryone was focused on working their hardest and making everyone around them better.”Ìý
Being able toÌýshowcaseÌýthe sport to her familyÌýin ItalyÌýmeant a lot to Francesca, as well. During her time at ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ, Francesca would make her grandmother’sÌýtiramisuÌýforÌýtheÌýCommunity Connections fair toÌýshowcaseÌýher heritage.ÌýWith lacrosse,Ìýshe’sÌýable to share her passions back with her Italian family.Ìý
“It’sÌýnot super popular thereÌýyetÌýso they were a little confused at first,” FrancescaÌýsaid.Ìý“It was also very special because some players have been involved with Italy lacrosse since it was started in Italy so winning gold was especially powerful in showing all that they have achieved. The team is very hardworking and fun, both components which I believe led to our success.”Ìý
The gold is a fitting finale for a busy summer and spring of lacrosse for Francesca. At ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ, she was named a U.S. Lacrosse Academic All-American and earned the school’s “White Blazer” award at Convocation, given to the top female student in the graduating class. She will continue her athletic and academic career at Colby College.Ìý
