When the Puerto Rican women’s lacrosse team stepped onto the field against the Haudenosaunee Nationals lacrosse team at the Atlas Cup, American University assistant coach Jo Torres wasn’t on the sideline: she was in the goal. Competing internationally for the first time and playing her first-ever sixes game, Torres was thrown into an unfamiliar, but exhilarating challenge.
“It was exciting because that was the first game in the tournament that went into overtime,” Torres said. “I didn’t really know what to expect since it was my first time playing sixes. I just went in thinking, ‘I’ve got to stop this ball.’”
For Torres, who joined head coach Lindsay Teeters’ staff at American University in the fall of 2024, the Atlas Cup represented far more than another competition. It marked the continuation of her lifelong lacrosse journey — one that has taken her from Navy to Towson, and now to coaching and competing at the highest level.
Born in Cocoa Beach, Florida, Torres first picked up a lacrosse stick after moving to Southern Maryland, where the sport dominates. She rose quickly through youth and club programs before committing to the U.S. Naval Academy as a high school junior.
At Navy, Torres made an immediate impact, earning multiple Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Week honors and tying the program’s single-season saves as a sophomore. After two standout seasons, she transferred to Towson University, where she became a two-time starter, earned Costal Athletic Association All-Second Team honors and was selected to the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association Senior All-Star Team in 2024.
Torres’ consistency and leadership between the pipes caught the attention of Teeters, who brought her to American to help develop the next generation of players.
In her first season on the Eagles’ staff, Torres helped former goalie Caleigh Forti post one of the strongest goalkeeping performances in program history. Forti led the Patriot League in total saves and ranked among the top three nationally.
Sophomore goalkeeper Maryanne Harris said Torres’ presence transformed the locker room and practice field.
“I have learned so much from Jo this past year,” Harris said. “Her talent and drive for lacrosse are inspiring; it motivates me to get better every day. She brings a special energy to practice and in life that is contagious and makes everyone around her better.”
“I love the team — everyone has been amazing,” Torres said. “They’ve been my support system through this whole journey. Honestly, if it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t even have known that Puerto Rico had a team.”
Torres learned about the Puerto Rican national program through her colleague, assistant coach Andrea McTaggart, who coaches for Team Italy and encouraged her to try out for it. After some hesitation, Torres decided to go for it — a decision that would reconnect her with her family’s heritage in a new way.
Torres’ father was born and raised in Fajardo, on the east coast of the island, so the opportunity to play under Puerto Rico’s flag carries deep personal meaning.
“My dad was born in Fajardo, and we’ve always grown up proud to be Puerto Rican,” she said. “Everyone can say they played lacrosse in college, but not everyone can say they’re Puerto Rican playing lacrosse. I take a lot of pride in that.”
The Atlas Cup, held in late September, brought together powerhouse nations like the United States and Canada alongside emerging programs like Puerto Rico and U.S.-based Haudenosaunee — a team comprised of athletes from the Kanien'kehá:ka (Mohawk), Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca and Tuscarora nations. Despite facing elite opponents, Puerto Rico made a statement with its effort and energy, especially against Haudenosaunee, falling just short in an 11-10 loss.
“USA and Canada are the top dogs in world lacrosse,” Torres said. “But I think we really proved that we can compete and that one day, they’ll be beaten. The journey to the LA Olympics is just starting.”
Torres observes a rapid increase in the sport’s global reach, particularly across Latin America and Europe. The sixes format, which is faster, smaller-sided and recently approved for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, has accelerated that growth.
“It’s amazing how many countries are starting to play,” she said. “My best friend coaches at Bryant and is on Team France — she was just in France helping grow the sport there. People are eager to learn and sixes makes it more exciting and accessible.”
Accessibility is a key part of what excites Torres about returning to Puerto Rico this December for another tournament in Humacao, where the team plans to compete while also hosting clinics to introduce the sport across the island.
“We’re going down there to spread the sport and teach the game,” she said. “Lacrosse isn’t really that popular yet on the island, but we want to change that.”
As she balances her duties at American with her international ambitions, Torres embraces her unique position as both a mentor and competitor. Coaching, she said, has sharpened her perspective and made her a better player.
With Olympic qualifiers looming in 2026 and growing momentum behind Puerto Rico’s program, Torres’ focus is clear: keep developing, both for her players and for her team.
Although her time at the Atlas Cup may have come to an end, Torres said the experience was transformative.
“It was an amazing experience,” she said. “The girls welcomed me like I’d known them for years. Sixes is a whole different game, but I’m just grateful for the opportunity to represent Puerto Rico and to keep growing the sport I love.”
This article was edited by Connor Sturniolo, Penelope Jennings and Walker Whalen. Copy editing done by Sabine Kanter-Huchting, Avery Grossman, Ryan Sieve and Ava Stuzin.
