After capping a two-year playing career at Florida Southern College as a two-time IWLCA First Team All-American and the 2024 IWLCA Division II Attacker of the Year, Jackie Stoller helped guide team Israel to a second-place finish at the 2024 Women’s European Lacrosse Championship. She tallied 30 points over seven games with 14 goals and 16 assists.
Earning the chance to represent Israel for the second time, Jackie finally got a chance to play in this tournament. She was named to the national team in 2022 where she sat out due to injury but, in 2024, she had a chance of a lifetime to play for the Israeli national team, including a unique opportunity to suit up with her two sisters, Abby and Lilly.
“This was the first time that all three of us were on the field together,” stated Stoller, a native of Wayland, Mass. “It was surreal playing alongside my sisters, with our parents watching. I am so thankful for my parents as they are our biggest fans. They were able to make the trip to Portugal, and I know they loved watching us all play together!”
The three Stoller sisters – Jackie, Abby, and Lilly – all played at the collegiate level. Jackie by way of Lehigh University and two seasons with Florida Southern College, Abby played at UMass and Simmons while Lilly is a member of the Wesleyan (CT) University program.
“Playing with both of my sisters set this tournament apart from any other involvement I’ve had on the national team. After finishing my collegiate career this past May, it felt like a full circle moment to play with my sisters on the international stage.”
Team Israel posted a 6-1 record with wins over Switzerland (22-6), Poland (19-2), Latvia (20-2), Germany (13-5), Italy (19-5), and Wales (14-4) in the semifinals. The squad’s lone loss came against England in the championship game, 12-5. In the win over Poland, Jackie was tabbed the Player of the Match after posting eight points on four goals and four assists.
The Stollers, as well as the rest of the team, left Portugal after feeling accomplished of being able to compete in the blue and white and will get back into collegiate lacrosse for some or get into lacrosse leagues for others while working full-time jobs, like Jackie who is working at Elliott Physical Therapy in the finance department and Abby who works at Doc Wayne as a children’s therapist.
Jackie stated, “I will likely play in a lacrosse league, focus on the 2026 World Championships in Japan, and set our eyes on the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Playing in the European Championships was an amazing experience, and I can’t wait to see what’s next.”
She went on to add, “It was such a privilege and honor to represent Israel. Being able to wear the blue and white proudly was something special. At training camp in Israel before the tournament, we were able to coach the youth practices. Seeing the kids playing lacrosse despite the war going on was something that I will never forget. It brought a new perspective to playing lacrosse and reminded me why I play: to have fun, make connections, and win for the people around me. Before every game, we reminded ourselves that we are playing for all the girls back home in Israel who have been through an unimaginable year and want to watch us succeed.”
“Keep the fun in lacrosse,” Jackie said for the youth of lacrosse looking to play at the collegiate level or for the national team. “It is so easy to get overwhelmed, stressed, and anxious from all the pressure that comes with it. Do your best to enjoy every moment on the field! Lacrosse has opened so many doors for me, and I am so thankful for all the opportunities I’ve gotten, and the friends I’ve made from the sport.”
