Top 5 players to watch in WLL Championship
· Yahoo Sports
As we enter the inaugural WLL Championship weekend with a matchup between two powerhouse teams, let’s reflect on the star power the California Palms and Maryland Charm possess.
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The WLL’s Most Valuable Player award will be presented next month in conjunction with the PLL end-of-year awards. There are a handful of front-runners to watch in this Championship game who could solidify their case for MVP this weekend.
Whether you have been following along all season or you need a refresher heading into the Championship game, here are the top five players to watch as Maryland and California go head-to-head for the trophy on Saturday at 5 p.m. ET in Philadelphia.
Emma LoPinto, A, California Palms
The type of player to quietly dominate, LoPinto has been on fire this season. She plays that low right, X-attack position and acts as a quarterback for the Palms. California plays a fast game with plenty of transition opportunities sparked by its fast midfielders, but LoPinto is the calming presence who comfortably controls the pace of offense, facilitates with ease and adds her own flair to her finishes.
Ranking fourth in the league in points, her versatility and consistency are what make her one of the most dangerous attackers in the game.
Ally Kennedy, M, Maryland CharmTIE GAME!!!!! https://t.co/Nrjq4MQC0Hpic.twitter.com/NFHYWv0rOf
— California Palms (@wllpalms) May 30, 2026
Kennedy is getting used to MVP status, most recently receiving that recognition at the World Lacrosse Women’s Championship two weeks ago while playing for gold medal-winning Team USA. She also won MVP of the 2024 Box World Lacrosse Women’s Championship, showcasing her flexibility as a player in multiple disciplines.
What makes Kennedy so fascinating to watch is her sheer grit in the midfield and her next-level burst of speed that leaves defenders in the dust. She plays with a fire that’s difficult to dim, especially when she gets rolling, and she tends to have her best days when championships are at stake.
Ally Kennedy adds to her MVP trophy collection 🏆🏆
— World Lacrosse (@WorldLacrosse) August 2, 2026
She's now the most valuable player in both the World Lacrosse box AND field championships.
Queen 👑#WLWC#Tokyo2026pic.twitter.com/PdJu25QAkJ
Brigid Duffy, M, Maryland CharmAlly Kennedy goes back-to-back to get the day started! ⚓️🚨 pic.twitter.com/4LYwvW873C
— Women's Lacrosse League (@wlacrosseleague) July 11, 2026
Duffy’s natural athleticism and high-level stick handling have separated her from the rest of the rookie class this season. Since the moment she stepped on a WLL field in June, she fit right in with the Charm’s quick and aggressive midfield lines.
In addition to her ability to float up and down the field with ease, Duffy is a scoring machine. She’s second in the league in points (20) behind only the Boston Guard’s Rachel Clark. Last time we saw the Charm, Duffy exploded for 10 points on seven goals and three assists. She has the talent to lead Maryland to the trophy this weekend.
Taylor Moreno, G, California Palms7 goals, 3 assists, 9 ground balls and 2 caused turnovers…an absolute masterclass by Brigid on Friday 🙌 pic.twitter.com/aBQyraDKNi
— Maryland Charm (@wllcharm) July 20, 2026
When highlighting the league’s best keepers, Moreno is top of mind. She has the traits that every goalie strives for: consistency, a calm presence and the ability to change the course of a game.
Earlier this season, she posted an impressive 17 saves against a New York offense that typically lights up the scoresheet. She’s running on a 52% save percentage with 54 saves over the four-game regular season. When Moreno gets hot early in a game, there are no shots that get past her easily. She is the primary leader of the Palms defensive unit, and we can expect her to come prepared to have a big day on Saturday.
Abby Bosco, D, Maryland Charm.@kylieohlmiller and @joekeegs broke down the California Palms dominant win in San Diego this past week! 🌴
— Women's Lacrosse League (@wlacrosseleague) July 2, 2026
Watch the full episode on the PLL App. pic.twitter.com/dLXRKWnKbb
Coaches, teammates and broadcast analysts have highly praised Bosco’s defensive presence all season, and rightfully so. When you watch her play defense, she does so with a tenacity that disrupts an offensive player’s flow. She works hard to deny her attacker the chance to touch the ball, and whenever they do have it, she lands timely stick checks and applies the right amount of pressure in order to dislodge possession.
She has some of the best stickwork of any defender in the league, allowing her to get involved in clearing the ball and pushing offensive fast-break opportunities. Bosco will likely be the key defender lining up against Maryland’s playmaking attackers, Ashley Humphrey and Sam Apuzzo. Leading the league in caused turnovers (12), Bosco is one to watch this weekend as she prepares for the most important matchup of her season.
Abby Bosco is too good 😮💨
— Maryland Charm (@wllcharm) June 20, 2026
She has five caused turnovers so far today! pic.twitter.com/MVHTOuK99I