💭 FCL Weekly Thought: 05/16/25

Hey everyone,

Hope your week is going well. Last night was an awesome slate of women’s Quarterfinal games and we are fired up for the men’s this weekend.

Today’s email touches on the stories of Chloe and Ashley Humphrey - UNC’s two offensive stars. While you are now seeing them have all the success and set records, you don’t always see what goes into it. We loved hearing them discuss the work they’ve put into their games, their obsession with lacrosse, their competitiveness and how they’ve handled adversity. It takes what it takes.

Before we get started, check out this clip on the “Learning Space” - it gives nice perspective to being ok with frustration and leaning into it.

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Let’s get into it. Happy Friday ☕️,
Matt & Deemer

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THIS WEEKS CONTENT AT A GLANCE

• 🎧 Podcast - Ep. 15 of FCL’s In-Season Podcast with Ashley & Chloe Humphrey

• 🔥 Upcoming Webinar (RSVP) - Prepping Your Scout Team, Kacy Kapinos (Delaware)

• ✍️ Blog - A Defender’s Guide to Defense by Matt Dunn

• 🏃‍♂️ On The Run Newsletter - NCAA Lacrosse Weekly Recap

💭 WEEKLY THOUGHT 
The Humphrey Sisters: Resilience, Obsession, and Competition

This week, we had the privilege of sitting down with Chloe and Ashley Humphrey, the dynamic sister duo leading UNC Women’s Lacrosse through an undefeated season. Both are Tewaaraton finalists and are smashing records along the way. Ashley set the NCAA career assist record last night in their quarterfinal win vs Princeton. Their journey-marked by setbacks, resilience, and relentless pursuit of excellence offers a blueprint for young athletes aspiring to play at the collegiate level. Here are some of the most powerful lessons from their story.

Adversity and Gratitude

Every athlete faces moments that test their resolve. For Chloe and Ashley, adversity has been a defining force in their careers. Ashley’s journey took her across the country, from redshirting at Stanford during the COVID-19 pandemic to transferring to UNC in pursuit of a national championship. Chloe, on the other hand, faced a season-ending injury before her freshman year - a setback that could have derailed her confidence.

Instead, both sisters found gratitude in these challenges. Ashley reflected on how the disruptions of COVID and her transfer experience made her appreciate every opportunity on the field:

Chloe echoed this sentiment, describing her injury as a “blessing in disguise.” The forced pause gave her time to adjust to college life, learn from the sidelines, and build a deeper hunger to compete:

Takeaway for Young Athletes:
Setbacks are inevitable, but your response to them shapes your future. Use adversity as fuel. Embrace the moments on the sideline as opportunities to learn, grow, and come back stronger. Gratitude for the game - and for the challenges - will keep you grounded and motivated.

Skill Development and Handling Faceguards

Chloe and Ashley’s on-field chemistry is undeniable, but it’s built on years of deliberate skill development. Ashley is known for her vision and playmaking, while Chloe’s relentless drive and finishing ability make her a constant threat.

Ashley attributes her feeding prowess to countless hours of film study and communication with teammates:

Chloe, meanwhile, focuses on stick work and off-ball movement, crediting her teammates and coaches for helping her refine her craft:

Both sisters have faced the challenge of being face-guarded by opponents - a testament to their impact on the field. Their approach? Trusting their teammates and embracing the team’s depth.

Takeaway for Young Athletes:
Great players are students of the game. If you listen to Ashley and Chloe, they’re obsessed with watching lacrosse. Watch film, study your opponents, and communicate constantly. When defenses key in on you, don’t force it - trust your teammates and the system. The best teams have multiple threats, and your ability to adapt will set you apart.

Competitive Culture at UNC

UNC’s women’s lacrosse program is built on a foundation of relentless competition. Every practice, according to Chloe, feels like a tryout:

This competitive cauldron pushes every player to improve, regardless of their role or experience. The Humphrey sisters credit this environment for their growth and the team’s success. It’s not just about winning games - it’s about showing up every day with intent, focus, and a willingness to push yourself and your teammates.

Takeaway for Young Athletes:
Seek out environments that challenge you. Embrace competition in practice, not just games. The habits you build in training - showing up, working hard, and holding yourself accountable - will prepare you for the highest levels of the sport.

Final Thoughts

Chloe and Ashley Humphrey’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience, preparation, and a team-first mentality. For young athletes dreaming of playing college lacrosse, their story offers a clear message:

• Embrace adversity and use it to fuel your growth.

• Become a student of the game-study, communicate, and trust your teammates.

• Relish competition, and give 100% every day.

The path to college lacrosse is demanding, but as the Humphrey sisters show, it’s also deeply rewarding. Stay grateful, stay competitive, and keep striving for excellence-on and off the field.

We hope you find some time to listen to the full FCL Podcast with Chloe and Ashley that dropped today.

Best,
Coach Class and Coach Dunn

🤔 PARENT PERSPECTIVE Q&A

Question

Answer
Prospect days can matter, but only if they actually matter to you. Here’s the deal:

Not all prospect days are created equal. Some are real evaluation opportunities for coaches. Others are more about filling spots, making money, or casting a wide net. So before you RSVP, ask yourself three questions:

1. Am I genuinely interested in this school? If yes, a prospect day gives you a chance to check out the campus, meet the staff, and feel out the program. That’s valuable intel.

2. Do I realistically fit their level of play? Talk to your coaches. If a program is a reach athletically and they mass-emailed the invite, it might not be worth the trip.

3. Would it be a cool lacrosse experience anyway? Sometimes that’s enough. You might want to learn from high-level coaches or just enjoy competing in a new setting.

Also: If you're interested in a school but can’t make their prospect day, don’t panic. A well-written email explaining your interest and the conflict can go a long way. Coaches recruit plenty of kids who never attend.

Quick guidance by class year:

• 2027s (Rising Juniors): 2–3 prospect days this summer, if it fits your schedule (Women’s we recommend 4-5 including August)

• 2028s (Rising Sophomores): 1–2 max. Use them to start building relationships and learning the landscape.

Bottom line: Go if it makes sense. Don’t go just because the “invite” landed in your inbox. Use them strategically and try to get some advice from a trusted coach or mentor.

Check out this blog we wrote on prospect days a little while back.

🔥 RECRUITING COVERAGE

We are introducing a new section in the Weekly Thought where we highlight some athletes that are catching our eye. We will share clips, highlight videos, and brief thoughts as this section evolves.

Henry Gilroy | 2027 | Midfield | Rye High School | Primetime
Rye High School is loaded with D1 talent. In the underclass pipeline, players like Henry Gilroy are stepping up. Henry’s a 2 handed, quick dodging threat. He exploded this past week for 5 goals against a top 2026 goalie. You can watch his 5 goals here. I love how he scores in a variety of ways: righty dodge, right to left in transition, up the hash lefty, inside lefty, answer move righty.

Corey Kumin | 2027 | Attack | Nobles | Mass Elite

Corey is a strong 2 handed attacker hailing out of Boston. Looking to make an ISL run, Nobles had a strong quarterfinal victory over Tabor. Corey had 3 and 3, displaying 2 handed finishing around the cage, strong vision, and great patience on a dodge-redodge goal. We’re excited to see Corey at Best In Class 2027 this summer and the Nobles squad at High School Nationals. Watch the game highlights here.

🏋 BREAKDOWN OF THE WEEK
MATCHUP FILM ROOM: OWEN DUFFY VS HUNTER SMITH

North Carolina attackman Owen Duffy and Richmond defender Hunter Smith had an epic 1v1 battle in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. Watch the full matchup on YouTube.

🏋 NEW WEBINAR 5/22
DELAWARE ASSISTANT COACH KACY KAPINOS

We are thrilled to welcome Kacy Kapinos on for a webinar on Thursday, May 22 talking about how coaches can prep your scout team. Register here.