Staten Island, NY – Emily Wesoky had a different winter break than most student-athletes. The Wagner women's lacrosse sophomore spent four weeks trying out for Israel's national women's lacrosse team in what was called the "Winter Bubble". 
 
Wesoky has played for Team Israel since 2016 as a member of the U16 and U19 squads while now training to join the senior national team. Her international playing experience includes participating at the Women's World Championships in London in 2017 as a member of the U16 team and U19 World Championships in Peterborough, Canada in 2019.
 
According to Wesoky, the main priority during this year's trip was safety, with the national team implementing testing protocols to ensure safe competition: "I am so lucky to have been able to travel to another country safely during this pandemic. We had very strict Covid protocols for this trip. Right when we landed in Israel, we received Covid tests in the airport and quarantined for a week. After the seven days, we got tested again and once we received our negative result, we entered the bubble. We only went to the place we were living at, the beach, and the national training center. All four of these places were within 15 minutes of each other. I felt very safe with the steps taken in this program to prevent the spread of COVID."
 
Far away from Wagner and Northeast Conference (NEC) competition, Wesoky used the winter bubble to take her game to the next level: "We practiced four times a week with lifting and agilities as well. I feel that I played really well during this month-long trip and that it will help me stay in shape and be ready for the season at Wagner. It was a really good experience training and playing with some other collegiate players from all over the United States."
 
The Potomac Falls, VA native now has a clear goal in sight – the 2022 Women's World Championships in Towson, MD. But Wesoky isn't the only Seahawk with that goal, as head coach Michelle Tumolo and assistant coach Tessa Chad are also eyeing the 2022 tournament.
 
One of the best women's lacrosse players in the world, Tumolo has been a mainstay on Team USA since 2010 and was selected to the 2017 All-World Team. Chad is a member of the Canadian national team, leading the Canadian U-19 team to its first-ever World Championship in 2015 while now playing on the senior team. 
 
"It is the highest honor to play for your country and I am beyond excited Emily has the opportunity to do so," says Tumolo. "Our coaching staff and her Seahawk teammates are all so proud of her. Playing with the best on Team Israel is only going to help continue to elevate Emily's game. Emily and I not only have our eyes set on our 2021 season, but we will both be training for the 2022 World Cup."
 
A sophomore midfielder for the Seahawks, Wesoky believes that playing on Grymes Hill has taken her game to the next level and readied her for international competition: "Playing at Wagner on a high-level team really helps me get used to the speed and skill of the game. Internationally, I play opponents that also play Division I lacrosse in the United States, so playing at Wagner with the way we schedule great teams and with our amazing coaches really prepares me. Having two coaches that also play on national teams really helps me stay motivated and prepared. They know what it's like to play internationally. On the other hand, playing internationally also helps me prepare for Wagner. Competing with other players from other collegiate teams really helps me gain some new skills. It is always good to play with or against other players that aren't on your usual team, there is always more to learn. 
 
Under Tumolo, the Seahawks are the two-time defending Northeast Conference champions and have developed a strong culture and tradition of winning. The team chemistry along with the school's academics and location made Wagner an easy choice for Wesoky: "I wanted to attend a small school with a high-level team. Those two things together are hard to find. The location was also a big deciding factor for me. I grew up loving New York City and visited many times to see all the family I have there. I live in Virginia and Wagner is the perfect distance from home. The main reason I chose Wagner was how welcoming the team was. On my first visit, my sophomore year of high school, I walked on campus and the girls on the team were there and so enthusiastic and welcoming. They took me to class and lunch with the team and then I got to watch practice. No other school I visited provided me a tour and visit like this. I could tell this team was a family and would do anything for each other and that was what I wanted. 
 
Wesoky's involvement with Team Israel goes beyond playing lacrosse. The national team also gives back to the community. In previous years, Wesoky was involved in the "Sticks For Kids" program: "The Sticks For Kids is a program for at risk kids in Israel. We donate gear to them and teach them how to play lacrosse. These kids have never been able to play a sport in their lives because they had no equipment or resources. Seeing their faces when we handed them their very own lacrosse sticks was priceless."
 
With the positive experiences in the "Winter Bubble" behind her, Wesoky will turn her attention back to her other goals. The 2022 World Championships and another successful lacrosse season at Wagner.