Lazaroff Named to Israel Roster for 2017 World Cup

ASHKELON, Israel – Former Blue Devil attacker Emma Lazaroff has been named to the Israel women's national team 20-player roster for the 2017 Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) World Cup. A 2016 graduate of Duke, Lazaroff will travel with the squad to the tournament July 12-22, 2017 at the University of Surrey near London.

Lazaroff was selected to the 20-player roster following a three-day tryout this summer in Be'er Sheva, Israel and a set of fall exhibition games.

“Selecting this team was incredibly difficult, as we were lucky to have so many talented women tryout. In addition to the level of talent present at the tryouts, these women are bright, successful, and of the greatest character,” said head coach Lauren Paul Norris following the roster announcement. “Getting to know them and see how each of them would make such a significant impact not only as a member of the team, but as part of the organization made the decision that much harder. It really came down to what we needed positionally, and balancing that with the right personalities, where the players were currently residing, and what strengths we needed on the field.”

Israel will join a field of 24 countries at the quadrennial event after finishing eighth in its first World Cup appearance in 2013. The country's roster is composed of both Israeli players, as well as members of the Jewish diaspora, in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL). In conjunction with the Israel Lacrosse Tzedakah Program, each player will be competing in honor of a charity of their choosing.

Lazaroff, who hails from Lafayette, Colo., played in 45 career contests for the Blue Devils with four starts at attack. She totaled 16 goals and four assists to go along with 13 ground balls, six draw controls and two caused turnovers. A team captain as a senior in 2016, she led Duke to the program's 19th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. Lazaroff was also a four-year member of the ACC Academic Honor Roll as a psychology major.

Another Blue Devil alumna, Sarah Bullard, has helped guide the United States to World Cup Championship titles in 2009 and 2013. Earlier this fall, Bullard was tabbed to the 25-player U.S. World Cup Training Team.

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