Team U.S.A. lacrosse

Bayport is a true sportsmen’s town—in the Ivy League tradition of old-fashioned, collegiate, WASPy appreciation of true athletics and its cultivation of good citizenry.

Nowhere is that spirit more alive than in the town’s dedication to honing powerhouse players in lacrosse.

With numerous players from Bayport going off to join lacrosse teams at prestigious universities around the country, three incoming high school freshmen have already carved a path by being invited to try out for Team U.S.A.

Fewer than 100 players from all over the U.S. will be competing for the coveted positions.

Suffolk County News interviewed ninth graders Aubrie Eisfeld, Erika Kreuscher and Ava Meyn, all who play for the BBP varsity lacrosse team, about their thoughts and inspirations on and off the field.

Q: What has been your greatest challenge in performing well in your position(s)?

EISFELD: (Midfield, attack) My greatest challenge in performing well in my position is having confidence. Having self-confidence contributes to the game by overcoming and achieving goals. Little things like this make a big difference.

KREUSCHER: (Lefty, attack) Making smart decisions to create scoring opportunities for my team is definitely one of the biggest challenges playing attack, which comes between knowing when you should and shouldn’t dodge. The challenge is also there when taking the ball to cage by and in a split second, knowing if you should finish yourself, or feed one of your teammates for a scoring opportunity.

MEYN: (Midfield, draw, attack) My greatest challenge is staying on top of my game. I work really hard to be the best at what I do, and push myself to constantly grow while staying healthy and injury free.  Regular PT is part of my training routine. 

Q: How do you contribute to your team’s performance?

EISFELD:  I contribute to my team’s performance by being a team leader, playing at my top performance at all times, coming prepared and being positive on and off the field.

KREUSCHER:  As an attacker, I contribute to my team’s performance by creating scoring opportunities for teammates and myself. Another major part of playing attack is riding the defense in order to get the ball back if your team loses possession. It not only may assist in getting your team the ball back, but riding and playing hard defense creates positive energy on the field for your team to feed off of.

MEYN:  As a midfielder, I contribute to my team by creating fast-break situations, scoring, being scrappy, versatile and unselfish.  I am also a draw specialist, which benefits my team by creating offensive possessions. In lacrosse, we value possession.   

Q: What made you initially interested in lacrosse? What about lacrosse kept you interested?

EISFELD:  What made me initially interested in lacrosse is how the game is played. It is competitive, fast play, and that’s what I love best.

KREUSCHER:  I’ve been interested in lacrosse ever since I was little. I grew up with a lacrosse stick in my hand, and always went and watched my older brother and sister play in their games. I soon fell in love with the sport and crave the ongoing drive to get better. I love the aggressiveness of lacrosse and appreciated the skills needed to compete.

MEYN:  I have always loved sports. My dad got me into lacrosse when I was in pre-K. My father was a lacrosse player and also coached our local PAL team. Lacrosse interests me now because the game is always changing when I’m on the field, and I have to think fast and make good decisions. I love good competition; it makes me a better player.

Q: Do you plan to play lacrosse in college? What would be your dream school to play for and why?

EISFELD:  Yes, I definitely plan on playing lacrosse in college. I perfect on playing [for] a D1 school. Honestly, I don’t have a dream college; I am interested in so many and have plenty of time.

KREUSCHER:  I would definitely continue to play lacrosse in college. One of my goals [dreams] would be to play for a D1 college lacrosse program and compete for the national championship.

MEYN:  Yes, my dream is to play lacrosse in college.  My dream school would be UNC, as I love their style of play and admire many of the athletes that have played for the Tar Heels.

Q: How has your family supported your lacrosse playing?

EISFELD:  They absolutely support me. Their constructive criticism comes in play on the field and makes me a better player. I’m so thankful for them and what they do for me and my lacrosse life. My mom and dad keep me on track on what I have to do and where I have to be, which is a big help!!

KREUSCHER:  My family supports me playing lacrosse. They all push me to be the best I can be and always have a positive mindset towards the sport. There is nothing they won’t do that will support my success.

MEYN:  Both my parents support my lacrosse playing. My dad has coached me for years, and helps with my club team. He also takes me to all my tournaments. My mom photographs my games and takes me to all my training sessions.  I owe a lot to my parents for making me the player I am. 

Q: What friendships have you made as a result of playing?

EISFELD:  The friendships I have made during the result of playing are unreal. I have made so many friends and people that are so positive and push me to my very best. All the friendships I make will last forever. My teammates are like my second family. 

KREUSCHER:  During lacrosse, you start to really bond with your teammates and they become just like family. Most of my friends I have met through lacrosse and the teams I have played on.

MEYN:  I’ve made many friendships through lacrosse. Lacrosse has given me the chance to meet athletes from other towns, teams, and states that I really connect with.  I also love being on a team; they become like family. 

Q: How do you balance school and other activities with your dedication to lacrosse?

EISFELD:  For me, I am a student before an athlete. When I have school, I come home and study, do my homework and any other schoolwork I have, then I will have speed and agility or practice. If I have practice right after school, when I get home, I always find time to get my work done.

KREUSCHER:  School comes first, and my grades support that, as I am on the National Junior Honor Society. You cannot go to a good college without good grades. When I need breaks between studying, I will go out in the yard for an hour or two and practice.

MEYN:  It’s not easy.  Training and practices can be very time consuming.  I pretty much have to come home and do all my homework and study after that. Sometimes that doesn’t leave time for much else, but in the end it all works out.  A lot of my friends are in the same boat.

Q: How did you initially feel learning about your selection to try out for Team U.S.A.? What were you most excited about? What anxieties, if any, did you have?

EISFELD:  I initially felt so excited and proud of myself. I was excited to get to have the opportunity to play at the highest level with the best people who are also some of my teammates. 

KREUSCHER:  I was ecstatic when I learned that I was selected to tryout for Team U.S.A. All my hard work and sacrifice had put me in this position. As 2025 trying out for U16, I knew it was a special opportunity. I wasn’t very anxious because I knew that I had prepared myself for this type of opportunity, and there is not time to doubt your ability.

MEYN:  I was very excited to receive an invite to the U.S.A. U16 Combine. It was an honor and a privilege to be one of the athletes selected.  Playing on the Team U.S.A. women’s lacrosse team has been a dream of mine for a long time. The only anxiety I had was  being one of the youngest girls competing for a spot; I know there were many older talented girls trying out.

Q: What advice would you have for younger kids just getting into lacrosse?

EISFELD:  My advice for younger kids that are just getting into lacrosse is to have fun and do what you love. Find a good balance between your social life and also your athletic career!

KREUSCHER:  My advice to younger kids is to enjoy yourself and listen to your coaches. Play every game as if it were your last because one day, it will be. Practice!

MEYN:  Have fun, always hustle, and be a good teammate.  Also, if you put the work and time in, everything else will come. 

With each young lady citing family support as integral to their success on the field, their parents shared their thoughts on how to raise a superstar:

BILL & JILL EISFELD:  We are so proud of Aubrie! She has had an amazing lacrosse career so far! We are so thankful for both her travel and school coaches!  Her teammates are all a talented bunch of girls! Aubs puts in all the extras, whether it be at Revo or over at the wall—she’s dedicated! We’re excited to watch her develop as a player over the upcoming years!

STEVE KREUSCHER:  Success isn’t given, it’s earned.

JEN MEYN:  As a parent, you feel equally as vested in the sport when you watch your child dedicate so much of their time, effort, and passion into being a top athlete. 

I feel we do our best to expose her to as many opportunities as possible to grow in her sport, as well as showcase her abilities.  We also try to provide balance and downtime, which we feel is vital to recharge her batteries.