From Dream to Reality for Catherine Erb

When she was younger, Catherine Erb always dreamed of wearing USA across her chest.

"I would have a binder, with the clear plastic in front of it, and print out the Team USA picture," she said. "I never thought I would have the opportunity."

That day has come, as for the past several months, Erb has been in the middle of the tryout process for the 2024 U.S. Women's Under-20 National Team. She has made it through two rounds of cuts and was named to the training team, which will take on Canada in the USA Lacrosse Fall Classic this Friday night (Oct. 13) at USA Lacrosse headquarters in Sparks, Maryland.

The Red, White and Blue will then face defending national champion Northwestern on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. to wrap up the weekend.

The Fall Classic is the last event for the training team. Sometime in the coming weeks, the roster will be trimmed down to the final roster that will travel to Hong Kong for the Women's U20 World Championships from August 15-24, 2024.

Regardless what happens from this point forward, Erb is already living a dream.

"Being able to play with the best players in the country, it has definitely made me a better player," she said. "Just to stand back and watch during the practices, I never thought I would be in this position. It's made me be more confident. I've learned so much; I'm able to develop my game even more and bring it back to Dartmouth, too."

What's one thing Erb has learned?

Play every second like it's your last.
Catherine Erb USA Lacrosse Tryout

"I've learned how important it is to hustle for every ball that you get because the opportunity is so slim," she said. "Being able to make the most out of every single opportunity you have on and off the field, to form connections and relationships with your teammates, is really important."

The international game features 6v6 instead of 7v7 in the attacking zones, so as Erb said, "It's a whole different game."

"It's a lot more about team chemistry, passing, picking for each other, using each other and learning and playing to each other's strengths and weaknesses," said Erb. "I've taken that to Dartmouth and I'm learning how to connect with my teammates better."

Connecting to her teammates was already a strength of Erb's, which will only improve through her U.S. U20 experience.

"Catherine is a humble player always looking for an opportunity to help make her teammates better and help the team find success," said Alex McFadden, who serves as Josie Harper Head Coach of Women's Lacrosse at Dartmouth.

McFadden also has experience with USA Lacrosse, most recently serving as assistant coach for the gold-medal winning 2022 women's senior national team.

"While Catherine knows she plays an important role of putting the ball in the back of the net, that is not her sole focus," said McFadden. "She recognizes how important it is to create chemistry with her teammates and to work well in whatever system the coach have the attack running.

"This is crucial when playing with a national team," McFadden continued. "You do not have as much time to practice together, so to be able to be a good teammate and create chemistry, while also understanding what the coaches are asking of you, can help a player find success."

Erb is a great teammate, but her talents are unquestioned as well. She finished her freshman season at Dartmouth first on the team in goals (32) and second in points (34).

"We knew she would be a contributing attacker but what we did not know was how much of a role she would play for us all season," said McFadden. "Catherine played a significant role all spring. Not only did she become a crucial finisher, but she also helped set her teammates up for success."

And there's the 30th goal of the season for Catherine Erb!

Watch on @ESPNPlus | https://t.co/ESIlDLYqxK pic.twitter.com/TPM20Oh4Ev
— Dartmouth W Lacrosse (@DartmouthWLax) April 22, 2023

Erb wouldn't currently call herself a vocal leader, but she leads in a number of other, equally important, ways.

"I tap sticks with teammates after a good play," said Erb. "When I'm on the sidelines during practice or games, I'm cheering everyone on. I also tend to notice the little things, so when I notice someone else doing that, I always make sure to tell them that I noticed it."

Chemistry continually comes up when referencing what Erb brings to any team.

"When I was growing up, I played with the same girls for 10 years and we had a certain type of chemistry, knowing where we were going to be on the field," she said. "We knew when to pass the ball and we knew all of each other's strengths and weaknesses. Coming to Dartmouth, I wanted to create chemistry on the field with my teammates because when you can play together as a team, that's when it's the most fun, that's when you're winning and that's when you're enjoying it."

Part of the reason Erb is so successful playing lacrosse is because she greatly enjoys it.

"I don't want to say lacrosse is easy, but it's a lot of fun and that's why I love the sport so much," she said. "It's the same off the field; creating valuable relationships and being able to connect with my teammates outside of lacrosse is just as important as on the field."

Erb grew a love for lacrosse growing up on Long Island, a hotbed for the sport.
Catherine Erb playing lacrosse against New Hampshire

Catherine Erb playing lacrosse against New Hampshire

"In elementary school, I would have a catch with my dad or my brother before the bus would come," she said. "It was a common thing to do in the area. I started playing in kindergarten and I played with the same girls from kindergarten to senior year of high school.

"They were all my best friends."

Ironically, a lot of the athletes on the USA 20 Training Team are Erb's best friends from Long Island. They have gone their separate ways since they were in high school, with Erb finding her way to Dartmouth.

"The community and culture at Dartmouth is something like no other school," she said. "Also, the coaching staff throughout my recruiting process was so supportive. Their accomplishments themselves and what they've accomplished here so far, have been impressive. Their first season was the COVID season and they were 5-0.

"I thought I could be part of something special here."

Erb knows it takes hard work to be part of something special, consistently setting her goals high, both individually and for those around her.

"One thing I can say is I'm a very determined person," she said. "I think setting my goals high is a good thing. I also know there's a chance of failure, but you always learn when you fail. It's okay to always dream big and set your goals really high, so you can always learn from your mistakes if you don't reach them."

Erb takes that mentality to her time with the U.S. Under-20 Training Team and at Dartmouth where she has high aspirations for the Big Green program.

"I have four years here at Dartmouth, so being able to conquer every single day, take every opportunity I have for the day and make myself a better person, a better athlete and a better student, it's something that I strive for," she said. "I'm always determined to make myself a little bit better each and every day."

Dewitt -> Erb

There's the hat-trick for Catherine Erb!

Watch on @ESPNPlus | https://t.co/YXad6c8J1v pic.twitter.com/c37qF4ifKB
— Dartmouth W Lacrosse (@DartmouthWLax) April 8, 2023

This fall, Dartmouth is working to make itself better every day, so it's in a place to compete for an Ivy League Championship this spring. All the while, Erb's teammates are also helping put her in the best position possible to make the final U.S. Under-20 National Team roster.

"Our goalie Giselle [Todd] and a couple of my teammates have been taking the time to do an extra practice for only me and just feeding me the ball and letting me shoot," said Erb. "It's about an extra hour or two hours of their week to help me get in some extra training.

"It could just be me out there alone, but my teammates are always there to help," Erb continued. "It's been really nice to have so much support."

McFadden couldn't be more supportive of this opportunity for Erb.

"I am so excited Catherine has an opportunity to vie for a spot to compete at the world championships next year in Hong Kong," said McFadden. "It is an honor for any player or coach to being able to wear Red, White and Blue and represent their country in any capacity."

No matter what happens next, it has been a tremendous growth opportunity that will pay big dividends in the near and distant future… for Erb individually and all those around her.

"I am excited to see the impact that training with the U.S. team will have on Catherine this spring," said McFadden. "To be coached by some of the best coaches in the country and play alongside some of the best players gives Catherine an opportunity to continue elevating her game outside of the practices she has with our team.

"I am so proud of Catherine and look forward to cheering her on as she continues through the process."

Schedules

Players Mentioned

Catherine Erb

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Schedules

Completed Event: Women's Lacrosse versus Cornell on March 29, 2025 , Win , 12, to, 10

Completed Event: Women's Lacrosse at #13 Yale on April 6, 2025 , Loss , 6, to, 12

Completed Event: Women's Lacrosse versus #17 Brown on April 12, 2025 , Loss , 12, to, 13

Completed Event: Women's Lacrosse versus UMass Lowell on April 16, 2025 , Win , 14, to, 12

Completed Event: Women's Lacrosse at Columbia on April 19, 2025 , Win , 13, to, 6

Completed Event: Women's Lacrosse versus Princeton on April 26, 2025 , Loss , 11, to, 15