Transitioning from field lacrosse to box (or indoor) lacrosse can be a challenge for a player — even if they’re a four-time All-American like Joe Walters. After starring at Maryland and then in Major League Lacrosse, Walters joined his hometown Rochester Knighthawks of the National Lacrosse League in 2009.
Walters’ previous success didn’t immediately translate to box lacrosse with its much smaller goal. The Knighthawks’ fans took to cheering when he was substituted out of games. But a summer spent training with a box team in Canada helped Walters return to form, and he helped Rochester become the first NLL team to win three championships in a row (2012-14).
“The biggest challenge with playing indoors is shooting and hitting these spots. If you miss the top corner in box, there's no shot of it going in.”
BRONZE MEDALIST
In September, Walters competed at the World Indoor Lacrosse Championships representing Team USA. He finished the tournament as the third leading points scorer overall (14 goals, 30 assists, 44 points) and helped the United States claim the bronze medal by defeating Israel 15-4.
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