This story was originally published in the GenZeal feature of LNP on Sunday, January 18, 2026.
By Sadie Avery ’26
WWhy do women get treated differently than men when they put in just as much hard work? When organizations such as the NCAA enlarge the field, limit gear and trade shorts for skirts, they aren’t protecting the sport of women’s lacrosse, they’re underestimating it.
Lacrosse is fast, physical, strategic and powerful. Yet women’s lacrosse is treated like a gentler copy, not an equal counterpart. The longer field, different rules and restrictive gear send the message that female athletes need the game softened for them.
Female lacrosse athletes are often automatically deemed to be weaker.
In a 2024 article published by the student newspaper at Franklin High School in Oregon, Solėne Curren, a student-athlete who plays lacrosse, states: “I would say the largest way that sexism manifests itself today, is in terms of the stigma. I get a continued response when I say I play lacrosse, it’s either, ‘wow, you must be strong from getting hit all the time,’ or from the ‘more educated’ folk, ‘that’s barely even a sport compared to men’s lacrosse.’ ”
These perceptions are in part because of differing equipment and regulations. In men’s lacrosse, athletes wear a full protective helmet, whereas women only get small goggles that shield their eyes.
Meanwhile, the skirts for women’s lacrosse can be uncomfortable and they don’t give players enough room to run properly.
In addition, men’s lacrosse sticks have a much deeper pocket, giving them more control and providing security when checked. Women are also expected to play on a field that is larger, measuring 120 yards by 70 yards, with the men’s field being 110 yards by 60 yards.
These unequal rules undermine the fact that women’s lacrosse deserves the same level of protection, respect and recognition as the men’s game.
Tufts University women’s lacrosse coach Courtney Shute spoke out about her concerns with the NCAA’s accessibility issues for championships in an article by USA Lacrosse Magazine last year.
She explained how during the women’s championship, their crowd is more limited because they make it harder to find the game locations, yet the men have a huge crowd due to the easy access.
“We have an incredible crowd, but our men are playing their national championship in front of all of their alums,” Shute said.
Not only does this limit the experience for players, but it also prevents families, alumni and fans from fully supporting their teams.
If the NCAA truly values equity, it must prioritize giving women lacrosse athletes the same stage and spotlight as the men.
Women’s lacrosse has always demanded the same dedication, skill and passion as the men’s game, yet the rules, equipment and treatment of female athletes continue to tell a different story.
When organizations limit protection, modify rules or place championships in low-visibility locations, they send a message that women’s sports are worth less. But athletes, coaches and fans know that isn’t true. If women are expected to play with the same intensity and commitment, then they deserve a sport that values them equally.
It’s time for the NCAA and everyone else to stop downplaying the game for women and start raising the standards instead.
Rules in Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse should be the Same
This story was originally published in the GenZeal feature of LNP on Sunday, January 18, 2026.
By Sadie Avery ’26
WWhy do women get treated differently than men when they put in just as much hard work? When organizations such as the NCAA enlarge the field, limit gear and trade shorts for skirts, they aren’t protecting the sport of women’s lacrosse, they’re underestimating it.
Lacrosse is fast, physical, strategic and powerful. Yet women’s lacrosse is treated like a gentler copy, not an equal counterpart. The longer field, different rules and restrictive gear send the message that female athletes need the game softened for them.
Female lacrosse athletes are often automatically deemed to be weaker.
In a 2024 article published by the student newspaper at Franklin High School in Oregon, Solėne Curren, a student-athlete who plays lacrosse, states: “I would say the largest way that sexism manifests itself today, is in terms of the stigma. I get a continued response when I say I play lacrosse, it’s either, ‘wow, you must be strong from getting hit all the time,’ or from the ‘more educated’ folk, ‘that’s barely even a sport compared to men’s lacrosse.’ ”
These perceptions are in part because of differing equipment and regulations. In men’s lacrosse, athletes wear a full protective helmet, whereas women only get small goggles that shield their eyes.
Meanwhile, the skirts for women’s lacrosse can be uncomfortable and they don’t give players enough room to run properly.
In addition, men’s lacrosse sticks have a much deeper pocket, giving them more control and providing security when checked. Women are also expected to play on a field that is larger, measuring 120 yards by 70 yards, with the men’s field being 110 yards by 60 yards.
These unequal rules undermine the fact that women’s lacrosse deserves the same level of protection, respect and recognition as the men’s game.
Tufts University women’s lacrosse coach Courtney Shute spoke out about her concerns with the NCAA’s accessibility issues for championships in an article by USA Lacrosse Magazine last year.
She explained how during the women’s championship, their crowd is more limited because they make it harder to find the game locations, yet the men have a huge crowd due to the easy access.
“We have an incredible crowd, but our men are playing their national championship in front of all of their alums,” Shute said.
Not only does this limit the experience for players, but it also prevents families, alumni and fans from fully supporting their teams.
If the NCAA truly values equity, it must prioritize giving women lacrosse athletes the same stage and spotlight as the men.
Women’s lacrosse has always demanded the same dedication, skill and passion as the men’s game, yet the rules, equipment and treatment of female athletes continue to tell a different story.
When organizations limit protection, modify rules or place championships in low-visibility locations, they send a message that women’s sports are worth less. But athletes, coaches and fans know that isn’t true. If women are expected to play with the same intensity and commitment, then they deserve a sport that values them equally.
It’s time for the NCAA and everyone else to stop downplaying the game for women and start raising the standards instead.
Sources:
https://www.2adays.com/blog/the-ncaa-is-still-failing-womens-lacrosse-and-everyone-should-be-talking-about-it