Peru Women's National Lacrosse Team

The Peru Women’s National Lacrosse Team represents Peru in international women’s lacrosse competitions. The team was established in 2022 with the goal of developing a competitive presence on the world stage and inspiring grassroots growth within the country. Since its inception, the team has made notable appearances at regional and international tournaments and has grown both in roster size and national engagement.

History Formation and Early Development (2022–2023) The women’s program was initiated by Deborah Arnold, a board member of Peru Lacrosse, who envisioned creating a national team to parallel the men’s program. In October 2022, Nicholle Harris Depaz, a Peruvian-American coach, was hired as the founding head coach to build the team from the ground up. By mid-2023, Peru had recruited 13 players and held its first official practice in Northern Virginia. Many athletes were Peruvian-Americans connecting to their heritage through sport. The team’s early development emphasized cultural pride, unity, and connection to Peru, with an approach that merged athletic preparation and identity-building.

2023 PALA Sixes Cup – Jamaica Peru made its international debut at the 2023 PALA Sixes Cup in Kingstown, Jamaica. Despite being a first-year program, Peru impressed many with their competitive play and team cohesion. The team reached the bronze medal match and finished 4th overall, earning praise from tournament commentators who described Peru as "the most impressive team" on Day 3.

Inaugural Roster (2023 – Sixes Cup) Deb Arnold, Zoe Bucher, Maria Fortino, Nicole Goodwin, Cassandra Kitchen, Isabelle Merchant, Morgan Ortega, Alex Parker, Natalee Parker, Abigail "Abby" Pollak, Sasha Silva, Brianna Valdivieso, Sophia Valdivieso.

The assistant coaches in 2023 were Britt Faulkner and Lauren Saffoori.

Grassroots and Growth (2024) Following their 2023 debut, the program focused on strategic growth and increased domestic engagement. The player pool expanded rapidly, and the number of Peruvian passports and DNIs held by players rose significantly. In early 2024, the team collaborated with grassroots leader Isa Simoes to launch Peru’s first secondary school sixes tournament in Lima, Copa Condor, Harris Depaz picked the Condor in honor of her grandmothers favorite Peruvian Song, “El Condor Pasa.” Simoes coordinated with local schools to bring the event to life, creating a sustainable pipeline for homegrown talent.

In 2024, Peru also competed in the Heritage Cup in Pennsylvania, under Head Coach, Nicholle Harris Depaz and Assistant coaches, Britt Faulkner and Lauren Saffoori, the team finished with a 2–3 record.

2025 World Lacrosse Qualifiers – Auburndale, Florida In 2025, Peru made its debut in full-field (10v10) international play at the World Lacrosse Qualifiers in Auburndale, Florida. The tournament marked Peru’s first-ever appearance at a World Lacrosse-sanctioned qualifier and included the team’s historic first matchup against powerhouse Team USA. The team was led by Head Coach Bicentennial Dolciato with Assistant Coaches Lauren Saffoori and Josh Klepfer. Peru finished the tournament with a record of 0–5.

2025 World Qualifier Roster Deb Arnold Zoe Bucher Chanduvi, Bianca Isabelle Camara Italia Carnazza Isabella Carreras Maya Clark Marissa Dolciato Isabella Gamarra Nicole Goodwin Nicholle Harris Depaz Morgan Ortega Alex Parker Abigail Pollak Jenasis Rivera Sasha Silva Hanna Simoes Isa Simoes Brianna Valdivieso Gracie Ochoa Ayla Moffitt

Coaching Records Nicholle Harris Depaz, the founding head coach. 4–6 record: 2–3 at the 2023 PALA Sixes Cup (Jamaica) 2–3 at the 2024 Heritage Cup (Pennsylvania)

Bicentennial Dolciato, first World Qualifier Head Coach. 2-7 record: 2-3 at the 2025 Heritage Cup (Weston, MA) 0-5 at the 2025 World Qualifiers.

Legacy and Impact The Peru Women’s National Lacrosse Team has played a pivotal role in expanding lacrosse in South America and has inspired a new generation of athletes. With an emphasis on inclusion, heritage, and cultural pride, the team continues to build its foundation and grow its footprint both on and off the field.