Makenzie Webster, a junior transfer student at The American University of Rome, has achieved a significant milestone in her athletic career by helping her team, Milano Baggataway, clinch the title at the prestigious Bern Open Lacrosse Tournament. This tournament, held in Switzerland from April 19-21, 2024, is widely recognized for its high level of competition and international participation.
Originally from Redmond, Oregon, Webster, who studies Fine Arts at AUR, plays midfield and attack wearing jersey number 16. Her lacrosse journey spans 13 years. She has prior experiences at Churchill High School in Eugene, Oregon, the University of Oregon Women’s Club, and NCAA Division II Women’s Lacrosse at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado.
The Milano Baggataway team this month won the championships for the Italian Women’s Lacrosse Champion Conference in Venezia. This competition, a key event in the Italian lacrosse calendar, brings together the top women's lacrosse teams in the country. This victory was swiftly followed by their triumph in Switzerland, highlighting their growing dominance in the sport.
The Bern tournament was characterized by tight matches and international flair, with many games, including a memorable semifinal against the Israeli National Team, going to the wire. “I made a shot, and my teammate scored on a rebound that advanced us to the finals and eventually to victory,” recalls Webster. The final game against the local team, the Bern Titans, was particularly intense, ending in a narrow 12-11 win for Milano Baggataway.
Reflecting on the differences between playing lacrosse in the United States and Italy, Webster notes, “Though the United States is currently the dominant force in lacrosse, there is a shared passion and appreciation for the sport globally. In Italy, lacrosse is still burgeoning, yet I see a bright future here. Personally, what attracts me to the sport is how it connects people. The moments of euphoria on the field with my teammates remind me why I love the ‘Creator’s Game.’”