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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM
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BADGER
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he pages to her story that Laila Edwards has
added in the last year have been consequential.
She won an NCAA championship as a freshman
last season at Wisconsin, a result that pushed her
toward striving to do it again. Then she made her
first appearance with the U.S. Women's National
Team at the Rivalry Series this past November, a
breakthrough that went far beyond herself and
her blossoming career. She was the team's first Black player and
the achievement received nationwide attention.
Those entries are new, but the central themes in her journey
have been consistent. Emerging from challenges and taking
uncharted paths are the main narratives for Edwards, who
accomplished these big things before she turned 20.
"I'm just another hockey player who had a few more barriers
and obstacles to go through growing up in this sport," Edwards
said. "I was able to persevere, and I'm someone that is hopefully
a role model to many girls, but specifically to girls of color."
