COLCHESTER, Vt. - Saint Michael's College women's lacrosse first-year Claire Kayajan (Osterville, Mass./Barnstable) helped Team Armenia place third during the EuroLax Sixes Tournament in mid-October in Thessaloniki, Greece, earning its first top-three showing in an international competition.
 
Kayajan was among 17 American women who represented Armenia, with 14 hailing from college programs, including her cousin, Salve Regina University's Flynn Kayajan. Unlike college lacrosse, which features 12 players aside and 15-minute quarters, the Sixes Tournament was 6-on-6 play on a smaller field with eight-minute quarters and a 30-second shot clock. Goalkeepers restarted play after goals instead of a midfield draw occurring.
 
On Oct. 18, Armenia opened by splitting four group-play games, downing host Greece, 17-6, and Austria, 14-9, but losing to Germany, 10-7, and Latvia, 17-12. Armenia closed group play on Oct. 19 with a 23-3 win against Croatia before facing Germany in a rematch during the medal round, falling by a single goal in overtime. However, during the third-place game, Armenia landed on the podium by trimming Austria by a goal.
 
A newcomer to the lacrosse scene just this year, Armenia became the 93rd member of World Lacrosse in 2025, and the 36th member of the European Lacrosse Federation. Team Armenia debuted at the Heritage Lacrosse Cup in Boston in May, posting a 3-2 record to capture seventh place despite holding its first practice only two days before the Cup began. Highlighting that run was a 6-5 win over China, the 2024 Cup champion.
 
"It means so much to be able to represent my heritage and to grow the love of lacrosse for younger generations," said Kayajan. "The coaches are so passionate along with the rest of the team. They feel like a second family to me because we are all connected through pride to be Armenian and to be a part of the first women's Armenian lacrosse team."