The Atlantic Coast Conference is the pinnacle of women’s collegiate lacrosse. An ACC program has played for the national title in each of the last eight seasons and last year’s final Inside Lacrosse national rankings had five ACC teams among the top-10 at the end of the season.

So to get a chance to play in the nation’s top conference is an opportunity that would be to say no to. Loyola Academy junior Ellie Lazzaretto couldn’t pass it up, which is why on Jan. 22, the Lake Forest resident announced her commitment to play at Duke University starting in the fall of 2021.