The Summer Olympics are in Los Angeles in about four years. Some are calling the Super Sixes a first step toward preparing for those games with lacrosse appearing in the Olympics for the first time in 2028. A pair of former women's lacrosse teammates with a connection to Saint Francis University will play at the Hong Kong Super Sixes before the New Year.
 
Junior Chyler Espino (San Francisco, California/ Saint Ignatius College Preparatory) and 2024 Saint Francis graduate Elyssa Enrique (North Canton, Ohio/Hoover) will play for the Philippines National team in Hong Kong on December 28-31.
 
World Lacrosse describes the Hong Kong Super Sixes as the "highest-level world lacrosse sixes format tournament on an international level", featuring up to 16 teams (eight men's and eight women's) competing. The Hong Kong Super Sixes will showcase the Sixes Lacrosse format that features six players on each team, a smaller pitch, fewer pitch markings, and a 30-second shot clock. The Sixes is the format that will be played at the Los Angeles Games in 2028.
 
"Almost 20 years ago, when I coached Team Canada at the World Cup, there were only 10 countries participating. We could only dream of lacrosse being included in the Olympics and being played on six continents," said Saint Francis women's lacrosse head coach Tracy Coyne. "This week, Chyler and Elyssa will be competing for the Philippines at a lacrosse event. It is one small example of the rapid growth of the sport worldwide over the past decade. It truly is remarkable."
 
This will be the second event Espino will play with the Philippines National team after participating in the World Lacrosse Festival with the inaugural Philippines team over the summer. Espino helped her squad to a 2-2 record on June 30-July 2 in San Diego, Calif. Enrique will be playing with the Philippines National team for the first time thanks in part to Espino.
 
"This past summer I was following along with Chy and the team's success at the World Lacrosse Festival," said Enrique. "There was talk of trying to put a team together for this Sixes Tournament, and I decided to learn more about it and see if I could be a part of this team. Chy was definitely a big part of getting me connected with the right people."
 
The duo was a part of the Red Flash defense that helped the team to its best season in program history, its first-winning season and its first-ever Northeast Conference Tournament appearance in 2023. Espino, a defender, was named to the All-NEC first team, while Enrique was selected as the All-NEC second-team defender.
 
"We are thrilled to have two members of the Saint Francis University women's lacrosse team representing us on the international level at the World Lacrosse Super Sixes in Hong Kong," said Coyne. "Chyler and Elyssa must feel a deep sense of honor and privilege to be given the unique opportunity to represent the country of their family's heritage on the international stage." 
 
The Loretto connection might help the duo in the international competition.
 
"Trust is such a huge part of a team's success," said Enrique. "I think with Chy and I being used to each other's style of play, it will help form a more cohesive defensive unit for the team. I also can say without a doubt that Chy is one of my favorite teammates that I have ever played with, and I don't say that lightly. Her fierceness and dependability on the field makes her what every goalie hopes to have in a low defender. In the stress of the game, it was always a welcome comfort to know that she was there and had my back."
 
"I'm super excited to be able to play with Elyssa on this national team," said Espino. "She is extremely reliable in the cage, and is always so positive and motivating. We have so much experience playing together, and of course team chemistry is a big part of successful teams, so I think that our connection defensively gives us a little bit of an edge. She's not only an amazing goalie but also an amazing friend, and I can't wait to share the field with her again."
 
While Espino has two more years to don the red and black, Enrique twice has thought that her lacrosse career was over. The Ohio native fully believed that she played her last game at Sacred Heart on April 30, 2022 after playing four years for Saint Francis. She returned to campus in the fall to complete her requirements for a Health Science Physician's Assistant degree. An injury to a goalkeeper position left head coach Tracy Coyne without a healthy goalkeeper for the fall so Enrique came back to the team for fall ball. Enrique enjoyed it so much she returned for the spring and had one of the best seasons of her career despite having to sometimes drive two hours to get to practice from her clinicals. Ironically, she thought she had called it a career again in Fairfield against Sacred Heart in the NEC Semifinals on May 4, 2023 before this Super Sixes opportunity arose.
 
"At this point I am just waiting to wake up from a dream," said Enrique. "If you had told me in middle school that I would still be playing lacrosse 11 years later, I wouldn't have believed you. I am so thankful to my parents for all the support they have given me over the years. From the sweltering heat of summer tournaments to countless hours in the car, and withstanding the cold Loretto winters for games, they have given me unwavering support. This has given me the drive to get to where I am today.  One of the greatest joys is being able to play lacrosse and am so grateful God continues to give me these opportunities." 
 
The opportunity for Enrique and Espino will take them away from the Christmas holiday. They left with their families on December 26 and with the time change will not arrive until December 27. The Philippines national team will practice on December 28 before playing Czechia to open the tournament on December 28. After matches against Hong Kong/China II and Great Britain on December 29, playoff games will be played on December 30-31.
 
"I have super high hopes for our international debut," said Espino on the goals of the team for the tournament. "Our team is filled with amazing athletes and I cannot wait to play alongside them. My hope for the team is that we put our name on the map and make a statement. I know this is just the beginning for us, and even though this is our first time playing all together, I think that we'll be really successful." 
 
"Looking at the team we have put together and the talent we have playing, I feel that we will make a huge impact," said Enrique about the team. "There is a lot to prove and I think being a part of the first official team gives us the opportunity to hit the ground running and really carve a name out for ourselves."
 
After the tournament, Enrique, Espino and the rest of the team will travel to the Philippines to put on some clinics to help grow the game throughout the country that represents their heritage.  
 
"Being able to represent the Philippines is such an honor," said Enrique. "When my grandparents came to the states, they were in search of their own "American Dream". It is an incredibly courageous decision to leave the country they called home and start over in a foreign land. I feel that by representing the Philippines, I am able to say thank you to them for making that leap of faith."
 
"I am honored to be able to represent the Philippines again at the Sixes Tournament in Hong Kong," said Espino. "I have recently been wanting to get more in touch with my Filipino background, and I think this opportunity is the perfect way to do that. I want to make my family, friends, and relatives in the Philippines proud."
 
"The influence that Chyler and Elyssa will have not only to grow the game in the Philippines but to inspire young Filipino girls by sharing their love of the sport is incredible," said Coyne. "They are two of Saint Francis University's best role models. I know they will treat this experience as the special gift that it is."
 
Both will represent the Philippines to their fullest over the next couple of days, but they will also have a faithful contingent in Loretto rooting for them and hoping that they are taking the first step to playing for in the Olympics in 2028 with Team Philippines.

Follow @RedFlashLax this week. Espino is in the midst of an Instagram Takeover so everyone can follow along with both players' journey during their time in Hong Kong!