GoHeels Exclusive: Waters Ready To Impact Pro Game

by Pat James

CHAPEL HILL—Two years ago, when Caylee Waters was a sophomore goalkeeper at North Carolina, professional women's lacrosse did not exist.

A member of the U.S. National Team, Waters knew she had a chance to continue competing at the international level once she graduated from UNC. But her playing career seemed finite beyond that.

Then, during Waters' junior year in 2016, the United Women's Lacrosse League (UWLX) launched. And with it came hope.

"My junior year, when they started the (UWLX)," she said, "I remember thinking, 'Oh, this is so awesome. I have more to look forward to with my play. It doesn't just stop here.'"

Now, following the June announcement that the Women's Professional Lacrosse League (WPLL) will debut in 2018, those who hope to continue playing after college have two leagues to choose from. And Waters, who graduated in May, has already become a key figure in the newest one's brief history.

The five-team WPLL held its inaugural draft on Aug. 23. Twelve Tar Heels were selected, with Waters leading the way as the first overall pick by the Philadelphia Fire.

"It was definitely very exciting," Waters said. "I was a little surprised. I didn't think I'd go that early, but I was just very honored that a coach would take a goalie that early. I think that's pretty rare; most people would see a midfielder or an attacker."

However, few people know Waters' game as well as Ricky Fried, the Fire's head coach.

Fried is coming off an eight-year run as the U.S. coach, during which he guided the team to two World Cup championships and a World Games gold medal. From 2014-17, Waters played for him on the national team.

But before the U.S. won the World Cup in July, Waters was among the players left off the roster. Despite her disappointment, she said that moment ultimately strengthened her relationship with Fried, who also coaches at Georgetown.

"It stung at first, definitely," said Waters of being cut. "But I think what helped was that he cut me and then I followed up a week later with a phone call to kind of give it more closure and understanding of why I was put in that position and not moving forward with the team. That definitely helped.

"I think we have a very respectful relationship in that I can work hard for him but also be laid back and kind of be myself and have fun."

The announcement regarding the conception of the WPLL came on June 1, five days after the beginning of the UWLX's second season.

Waters said she knows a few of the women who founded the WPLL. And those connections, among other factors, helped influence her decision to enter the league's draft.

"The UWLX I think was exposure to, 'Yeah, it's really hard to make a sport professional,'" she said. "What led me (to the WPLL) was just kind of knowing they're going to work on those fixes, they actually were concerned about getting players to be paid and following up on travel expenses, and other players of very high quality were going to be involved in the draft, as well."

Before the first WPLL season begins next summer, select players from each team will compete in a showcase game Sept. 20 at the U.S. Lacrosse Headquarters in Sparks, Maryland. Waters said she's also been encouraged to promote the league and connect with younger fans on social media.

The platform UNC has provided her might help.

Waters said she's interested in coaching after her playing career. So this summer, she's worked multiple lacrosse camps and held a goalkeeper clinic near her hometown of Darien, Connecticut.

"To kind of have this name in lacrosse has definitely allowed me to use it as leverage to continue coaching," she said. "That's something that's an honor and also it makes it exciting to coach because girls are very engaged and definitely want to learn."

It's understandable why they're so receptive. Waters, a member of the Tar Heels' 2016 national championship team, was twice named the national goalie of the year by Inside Lacrosse.

But she said such accolades couldn't be compared to the honor of being the first selection in the WPLL's draft.

"I think it is a representation of high school and college," Waters said. "It just goes to show that I wouldn't be able to be as good as I am if it wasn't for my teammates at UNC and my coaches being able to push me. When I think about getting drafted, it's definitely really rewarding knowing that you have a lot of teammates and coaches who are supporting you.

"They've all been a part of this process, so it wasn't just me. It was all of the other people behind me."

Players Mentioned

Caylee Waters

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