“In the past, our girls would have to travel all the way to Apex just to play in an organized league or clinic, now it is in our backyard,” says Marybeth Morsberger, one of the fall organizers.

The fall program incorporates both skills clinics and games. Coaches teach girls the fundamentals of ground balls, stick skills, passing, and defensive and offensive strategies, while trying to infuse it all with fun. The coaches include Alexis Thieme, a 2012 University of North Carolina University club team captain who guided her team to the US Lacrosse WCLA Division II National Championship.

“In June we

took a bunch girls from the local high school to a tournament in Wilmington and had a blast,” Thieme said. “We are just carrying over the momentum from that team into this fall.”

So far, Fall Ball has attracted participants from Carrboro, Chapel Hill, East Chapel Hill, Riverside, Phillips, Culbreth, Smith, McDougle and St. Thomas More.

“I love playing lacrosse because not only is it a fun and growing sport, but I also love playing where the team dynamic and chemistry is a huge reason for your success,” said East Chapel Hill senior captain and goalkeeper Reilly Johnson. “I just love this sport.”

Beth Ellis, a four-year starter for the UNC varsity, describes Fall ball as “giving back” to the sport.

“We really want girls to get lacrosse experience at a young age. We need to catch up with the girls out of the Northeast,” Ellis says. “We want the younger girls to play at a very high level and it starts with fundamentals.”

Ellis helps coach the Fall Ball Clinics, open for girls in grades 6 through 12, from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sundays through Oct. 14 this fall at East Chapel Hill High School. Walk-up registration is available at the clinics.

“Anytime we can get the girls to pick up a lacrosse stick is great,” Morsberger said. “We want to encourage girls to come out and play. Even if you have never picked up a stick before in your life, this is a great way to learn the game, and to get started with some of the best coaches in our area.”

For more information on joining the 2012 Fall Ball Clinics, contact rkfutch@yahoo.com or jocko@slt-tec.com.