The University of South Florida has its first-ever senior national team representative. Natalie Eastwood, a standout goalkeeper for the Bulls, was officially named to the Australian Women’s Field Lacrosse Team on Monday.
Lacrosse Australia confirmed the roster for the upcoming Nissin Foods 2026 World Lacrosse Women’s Championship, which is scheduled to run from July 24 to August 2 in Tokyo, Japan.
Eastwood, currently a sophomore majoring in biomedical sciences, grew up in Ellicott City, Maryland, but qualifies for the Australian squad through her heritage. Her selection marks a significant milestone for the USF women’s lacrosse program, as she becomes the first player in the school’s history to reach the senior international level.
This isn’t Eastwood’s first time wearing the green and gold. She previously broke ground for the Bulls in January 2024 when she was named to the Australian U20 National Team.
READ: USF Women’s Lacrosse Charge To Top Seed And Make History After East Carolina Dismantling
Now, she moves up to the big stage as one of the 22 athletes chosen after a rigorous national selection camp held in Melbourne on April 11. Eastwood is part of a fresh wave for the Australian side; she is one of 10 players on the roster who will be making their senior World Championship debut this summer.
The stakes in Tokyo are high. Australia currently holds a world ranking of fourth and is slated to compete in Pool B. Their road to the podium will begin with round-robin matchups against the second-ranked Canadians, as well as Wales and Germany.
The tournament features 16 nations competing across various venues in the Japanese capital. The final medal matches are set to take place at the historic Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium.
Beyond the immediate hunt for a world title, this championship serves as a critical stepping stone for athletes and programs alike, as the sport prepares for its highly anticipated return to the Olympic Games at Los Angeles 2028.
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