BERKELEY – Hannah Lewis needs an assist.
The former Central Regional High School standout has earned a berth on the U20 Puerto Rico Women’s Lacrosse National Team. The 22-player club and its coaches will travel to Hong Kong in August for the 2024 World Championships. The team will train in Puerto Rico.
It hopes to raise $100,000 to cover its expenses. Send donations to Puerto Rico Lacrosse, 2565 Phyllis Dr., Bellmore, N.Y., 11710. Place Women’s National U20 Team in the memo. The link to donate is paypal.com/pools/c/92lHP650gV
Now a freshman attacker with the James Madison University Dukes, Lewis learned of the team on Instagram.
“I knew I had to try out,” she said. “I did it because I love lacrosse and wanted to represent my family. Most importantly, the team is new and not as large as other programs. They are trying to build up the sport on the island. In a lot of ways, it parallels my high school career. During my freshman and sophomore years, I was the lone travel player on the team. At Central, softball is the dominant spring sport. Most of the lacrosse players were soccer and basketball players who wanted to play a spring sport.
Hannah Lewis controls the ball for James Madison University. (Photo courtesy James Madison)
“The majority did not even know how to throw or pick up a ground ball. Knowing that lacrosse is really not that big on the island hit home. To be able to bring this sport to the forefront is a great honor. I want to show the younger girls that anything is possible. Being able to set this example for my mini-me (Addison Frulio) and other girls like her in my area is what really helped me decide to try out … letting them know if you work hard on and off the field and in the classroom you can do anything. Set your dreams high. Reach for the stars. You never know what will happen.”
The first round of tryouts was last July in Chicago. The second round was in January in Orlando. Tryouts were five days. They consisted of a warmup, fitness and running tests, stick work using dominant and non-dominant hands, broke down training per offensive and defensive draw and small and full sided scrimmages. Lewis will play attacker and take the draw.
“Based on my Zoom call with my coaches, they said they first noticed me when I took my first shot,” Lewis said. “I can say we all had a good laugh at that one. I have worked hard on my skill set and on different ways to shoot on goal. I think ripping a good shot by far is the best and that is what I did at the tryouts. Further into the call, they mentioned my ability to read the field and my leadership ability. I was so excited. The whole conversation is kind of like a blur and truly surreal.”
Lewis learned of her selection through Zoom with her parents and coaches January 13.
Hannah Lewis (27) competes for the James Madison University Dukes. (Photo courtesy James Madison University)
“My first thoughts were, ‘Oh gosh. I’m going to China and representing my abuela and her family.’ Oh gosh. I really, really, really wanted to make the team. That is why at the tryouts I dialed in and played like I always do. I stayed determined, focused and wanted to make a mark. And if they (her coaches) suggested something I made the adjustment on the next play.
“This is something bigger than me. And I am super excited for this open door. Deciding to try out for the team and not USA was a huge decision. Puerto Ricans are an underrepresented demographic. Being able to play for Puerto Rico and help grow the sport there will impact so many others.”
Lewis’ father, Allan Lewis Jr., is Puerto Rican. His mother, Alice Gonzales, is from Isabella, Puerto Rico. Lewis Jr. has relatives in Puerto Rico.
“First,” Lewis said, “It is an honor to represent Puerto Rico. Secondly, I am excited, excited to be part of this Puerto Rico lacrosse family. From the very beginning, it has been welcoming and inclusive to all the players and made everyone feel like one huge family. It has been great. From the first tryout, we have all stayed connected. It has been an amazing experience.
“Thirdly, there is pressure for sure – pressure to live up to what I did back in high school where I broke a lot of records and set Shore Conference records and so on.”
Lewis hopes to contribute intangibles to the U20 team.
“I see myself as being a huge competitor and motivator,” the kinesiology major said. “I hate losing and cannot stress that enough. I hope to share this mentality with my teammates while having a blast representing Puerto Rico and playing for something bigger than ourselves. I have huge aspirations.”
They include a berth on the Puerto Rico Senior Team, which will play in Japan in 2026.
Former Central Regional High School scoring machine Hannah Lewis (left) displays her intensity. (Photo courtesy James Madison University)
“Once I heard lacrosse was added back to the Olympics (in 2028), I knew a dream of mine had come true,” she said. “I grew up playing soccer, basketball and softball. My favorite sport was soccer. I grew up watching our national team play soccer and always dreamt of playing at that level, but then I found lacrosse and it became my favorite sport. I always dreamed of playing at the next level and now having an opportunity to try out for a national team and represent my heritage and island is a dream come true. I am hoping the U20 team is just the beginning.”
Lewis scored her first career goal in the Dukes’ second regular-season game, a 17-5 conquest of Virginia Tech. Lewis, who scored unassisted, struck with 6:17 left in the third quarter for a 15-2 lead.
“She can score goals,” James Madison coach Shelley Klaes said of the 5-foot-10, 155-pounder. “She is gaining more confidence in our practice environment. We want her to have the ball so she is forced to shoot and take players on. She is a spark off the bench. She pushes our starters, giving us many options. She has a lot of real great attributes. She has good height and a good stick. She has a lot of velocity and power on her shot from the outside. We see her being a very strong one-on-one player.
“Playing international competition against the United States, Australia, Canada and England will generate confidence. I think she will be a key goal scorer. Playing at that level will only pay dividends. I am real excited for her,” the coach said.
“The lacrosse experience at JMU has been nothing short of amazing,” Lewis said. “Being surrounded by and constantly learning from some of the best players in college lacrosse on a daily basis has been game changing. I have come an extremely long way and have improved my game so much since getting to work here. Not only do I play with incredible girls, I also play for and am coached by some of the most established coaches in the country. I am extremely excited to continue working with this program and am incredibly blessed to be a member of this team.
“This is such a great opportunity to show anyone that sacrifice, hard work and determination are not underrated. Growing up, I stayed focused on school and sports and really didn’t have a huge social life like others did. At times, it was frustrating that I would be training when others were at high school games and parties, but in the grand scheme of things I feel I made the right choice. Reaching for my dream of playing lacrosse at the next level – college – and being able to do that now was worth it.”
Lewis said she enjoys college life on and off the field.
“I look forward to every day here at JMU,” she said. “I look forward to learning more about the sport I love and to playing with my amazing teammates, who are like family to me. Most importantly, I just want to thank everyone who helped me get this far. There are too many to thank, but they all know who they are. I am thankful to my family, which is always there to guide and support me no matter what.
“Lastly, PAW something coach (Lauren) Koenig would always remind me of, ‘Prove All Wrong.’ That is something I take with me all of the time.”
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