7 Maryland Lacrosse Stars Win First Pro Championship

Seven women who once wore Maryland Terrapins jerseys together just made history in professional lacrosse. The Maryland Charm won the inaugural Women's Lacrosse League championship Saturday, defeating the California Palms 16-13 in front of their home crowd.

The game's hero was Alex Aust Holman, who now serves as an assistant coach for the Maryland women's lacrosse team. She delivered the championship-winning goal to complete her hat trick, an achievement made even more remarkable by timing: she gave birth to her son Tiger less than a year ago.

"This shows what Maryland lacrosse builds," the victory seemed to say without words. The Charm's roster featured a powerhouse collection of former Terps who learned to play together in college and carried that chemistry into the professional ranks.

Erica Evans, who won an NCAA championship with Maryland in 2019, controlled both offense and defense throughout the game. She scored a goal while also recording two caused turnovers and a ground ball when her team needed defensive stops.

The defense held strong when it mattered most. Maddy Sterling, fresh off her standout 2026 season with the Terps, anchored the backline alongside fellow Maryland alums Abby Bosco and Megan Douty-Marino. The trio shut down California's offensive pushes during crucial moments.

Aurora Cordingly and Grace Griffin rounded out the Maryland contingent. While they didn't fill the stat sheet in the championship game, their contributions throughout the season helped carry the Charm to the finals.

Why This Inspires

This championship represents something bigger than one game. Seven women from the same college program reaching professional sports' highest level together shows the power of strong foundations and lasting connections.

The WLL's first season gives talented female athletes a new path to continue playing the sport they love at the highest level. For young girls watching, they now have professional role models who prove that women's lacrosse doesn't have to end after college.

Holman's performance especially resonates. She balanced new motherhood with elite athletic competition and delivered when her team needed her most, showing that starting a family doesn't mean ending athletic dreams.

The victory keeps Maryland's lacrosse legacy growing, now spanning from college championships into the professional ranks.