Gabby Capuzzi figured her lacrosse-playing days were over when she completed a stellar career at Ohio State. The Pennsylvania native got into coaching and has steadily risen in the collegiate ranks, spending the last three years as the top assistant at the Naval Academy. Capuzzi certainly could not have imagined competing in the Federation of International Lacrosse World Cup at the age of 27. However, the former All-American also never considered that Italy would take up the sport of women's lacrosse.

So it was that Capuzzi was sparking the offense as Team Italy made its World Cup debut by beating Hong Kong, 12-10, on Thursday at Surrey Sports Park. Capuzzi showed she still has the stick skills by scoring five goals for the Italian contingent. "It's just like riding a bike," Capuzzi told The Capital last week before departing for England. "I'm lucky that I have a stick in my hands all the time. I'm always warming up the goalies or playing catch with the players."