‘I’m in pain wherever I am’: the troubling rise of concussion in girls’ lacrosse

Unlike their male counterparts, female players are rarely protected by headgear. Now many within the sports are pressing for a change in the rules

Becca Losch wore goggles and a mouthguard. She did exercises to strengthen her knee ligaments. Yet the prospect of a head injury barely crossed her mind.

In 2012, while a student at a New Jersey high school, she was hit in the back of the head by a lacrosse ball during a warm-up drill before a game. She does not remember falling to the ground, being helped up by teammates and carrying on.