THE ROAD TO THE BRINE NATIONAL CUP
Corrigan Sports Enterprises has a knack for creating unique experiences. Unlike many lacrosse tournament operators, CSE has a robust portfolio of events in other sports. Many in the lacrosse community may be surprised to find out that Corrigan Sports has organized large scale events with more than 20,000 participants such as the Baltimore Running Festival for 20 years. The team at CSE recently put on the massive Bay Bridge Run, an event that is as much about coordinating traffic and the involvement of government agencies as it is a road race. CSE also staffs a full-time office on the west coast that is responsible for orchestrating the annual Oakland Running Festival. CSE’s resume includes organizing the State Farm Senior Classic, a stop on the professional golf tour, which featured legendary names such as Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and Lee Trevino.
Even with that diverse experience, lacrosse has always been a passion for Lee Corrigan and his team. With a desire to put the sport on the grand stage, in 2005, the Under Armour All-America event was created. This concept was dreamt up by Corrigan after his long run in executing all-star basketball events such as the Charm City Challenge, Capital Classic and working alongside a handful of others on the high-profile McDonalds All-America game.
After 17 years Under Armour All-America has become firmly established as the premier event for high school lacrosse players–for both boys and girls. Every prep performer dreams of being recognized as an Under Armour All-American before moving onto the college ranks.
CSE determined that a fresh approach to girls club tournaments was needed. For almost 12 years, CSE put on the biggest events in the history of girls lacrosse. Those events were designed and structured with one sole purpose in
mind: individual college recruiting. When events exclusively feed the recruiting machine it’s too easy for players, coaches and parents to forget that lacrosse is still a team sport. CSE wanted to showcase its core values as a company by developing a property where teamwork and cohesiveness are paramount to success. Not just as a unit, but for individual athletes as well. From that desire the Brine National Cup presented by New Balance was born.
The National Cup series debuted in 2021 with three District events. Each of them featured 75, or more, teams from their respective region. The goal of the District competitions is to spotlight programs from that geographic area. In contrast to many other tournaments, the District events do not require extensive travel across the country to participate. The championship-style format gives teams extra incentive as well as providing unprecedented exposure for girls lacrosse. ESPN aired three championship games from each District on its family of networks.
From these regional District events, the teams that advanced to the semifinals in each age group qualified to compete for the coveted National Cup Championship in Tampa, Fla. From December 3–5.
Festivities will kick off with the banquet and awards ceremony on Friday evening at the Sheraton Tampa Brandon. CSE will recognize both the High School Coach of the Year, Youth Coach of the Year and present the Trina Mangano Award for the coach/organizer that has elevated the game in their region to a higher level.
This weekend is going to be much more than another tournament. The National Cup promises an experience that will elevate the game.
2021 NATIONAL CUP EVENT SCHEDULE
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3
2:00–4:00 PM: Gait Lacrosse Clinic (Tournament Sportsplex of Tampa)
- Opportunity for players to experience on-field instruction from college coaches. Players will interact with coaches from: Stony Brook, Syracuse, Brown, Massachusetts, Louisville, Florida and others.
6:30 PM: National Cup Banquet and Awards Ceremony (Sheraton Tampa Brandon Hotel)
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4
8:00 AM: Pool play begins for all teams (Tournament Sportsplex of Tampa)
7:00 PM: The HighlightHer All-Star Game
- Live on Lacrosse Sports Network
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5
8:00 AM: Playoffs begin (Tournament Sportsplex of Tampa)
12:00–4:00 PM: Championship games
- Live on ESPN3 (re-air on ESPNU)
PLAYERS WHO IMPRESSED
DISTRICT SOUTH
· Sofia Chepnik (2022; Florida Shine) (committed to Clemson)
· Gracie Mullahy (2023; Team 91 Carolina) (committed to Harvard)
“Gracie is the type of player that every team wants and needs. She is a solid defensive player, strong through the midfield and a proficient offensive
player. She does it all from endline to endline. Gracie always seems to come up with the ball and the big play when her team needs it.” Mark Phillips, Head Coach, Team 91 Carolina 2023
· Madilyn Wargo (2024; House Team)
· Emma Hrzich (2025; Florida Select)
DISTRICT EAST
· Emma Kelly (2022; Team Elevate) (committed to Penn State)
· Ava Talago (2023; Phantastix Purple) (committed to Loyola)
· Mary Carroll (2024; Ultimate 24 Elite)
“Mary is an unstoppable force on the defensive end using her extremely high lax IQ and relentless work ethic to become the ultimate caused turnover queen. She is a gritty, tenacious defender who is a threat from the defensive
end and into transition making her the best teammate you could have by your side.” Deb Razzino, Head Coach, Ultimate 2024
· Emma Morgan (2026; Shamrocks)
DISTRICT CENTRAL
· Erika Ho (2022; Lacrosse Monkey) (committed to Penn State)
· Ellie Morrison (2023; Team Minnesota 17U) (committed to Dartmouth for Ice Hockey)
“Ellie is a once-in a-50-year type of athlete! She has explosive speed and can dodge in super tight spaces to goal. She is also a top ice hockey player and handles her lacrosse stick like a hockey stick; she has great hands. Ellie has a crazy low-to high riser shot that looks like a slap shot from the hockey blue line. It always catches goalies by surprise. She has a 90% conversion rate on it! Ellie’s speed and endurance are unprecedented.” Maria Slusser, Director, Team Minnesota Elite
· Ella Mautz (2025; True Illinois)
For all the Details on the Brine National Cup Presented by New Balance, visit www.NationalCupLacrosse.com. Also, follow @CSELax on all forms of social media to receive up to date information.
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Corrigan Sports Enterprises is a full-service sports marketing and event management company with 20+ full-time employees. Based out of Elkridge, MD, CSE owns and operates events such as The Baltimore Running Festival, Under Armour All-America Lacrosse, Oakland (CA) Running Festival, The National Cup Championship series, Baltimore Ten Miler, The Bay Bridge Run and many more. www.corrigansports.com
