About Us
We do things a bit differently, and that's the way we like it!
Our Mission
At Carolina Force Lacrosse, we are dedicated to enhancing a developmental program that focuses on the well-being and growth of our athletes. Our commitment transcends the field, emphasizing skill enrichment, teamwork, and character development. We believe that society benefits when individuals are involved in team sports, fostering better human beings.
Our philosophy extends beyond the physical aspects of sports, incorporating life skills such as resilience and leadership. We aim to broaden our club’s reach and competitive edge, giving every player the opportunity to elevate their game to the next level.
We also recognize the exceptional dedication of our coaches, whose expertise, up to the Division I level, inspires and provides top-tier opportunities for our athletes. Their commitment and sacrifices are the backbone of our tight-knit community.
Our Team
Team FORCE
We are Erik and Christine Rastello, and it is with great excitement that we introduce ourselves as the directors of the Carolina Force Women's Lacrosse Club. Our deep-rooted connection to this community, coupled with our enthusiasm for the sport's growth, motivates us to carry forward the legacy of this wonderful club. As we have nurtured our family here, with our children actively participating in lacrosse, our commitment to this club and its members remains steadfast.
Christine brings a wealth of experience from her days as a high school team captain and as a player for the club teams at St. Mary’s College and Notre Dame University. Her passion for lacrosse led her to coach and significantly contribute to her making the decision to help introduce women’s and girls’ lacrosse into Pinehurst in 2014. Erik, hailing from Northern Michigan, brings his extensive background in AAA hockey and a rich history of coaching youth sports.
Together, we are committed to enhancing the developmental program that focuses on the well-being and growth of our athletes.
Player Testimonials
Janie Spicer
Union Pines High School Class Of 2024
Winthrop University
"Carolina Force provided me with the opportunity to play the sport I love with my best friends while also getting the exposure I needed to get recruited. The team atmosphere is very positive; we always had fun at practices, which built our on field chemistry and helped translate to success. Hard work is rewarded at Carolina Force; those who have the desire to grow as a player will have those expectations met as the program prioritizes making you the best version of yourself. I feel that my coaches at Carolina Force truly cared about me and wanted to see me succeed in all aspects of life, not just on the field. They helped me grow in so many ways which I’m very thankful for. Playing with Carolina Force not only helped me develop as a player, but it also taught me important life skills that I can carry with me to the next level."
Allie Hirst
Pinecrest High School Class of 2024
Longwood University
"Carolina Force is a well organized program that truly helped me grow on and off of the field. The coaches care about player development and will assist with anything they can. I can 100% say I wouldn’t be where I am today without Carolina Force and the coaches in the program."
Karsen Corbett
Pinecrest High School Class of 2023
UNC - Charlotte
"I loved being a part of the Force family! I received great exposure that allowed me to further my lacrosse career as a student athlete. We have great coaches that taught us to play at a high level. We played in several national tournaments that gave us the opportunity to play against some of the best teams in the country. The community in this club is amazing, and everyone encourages each other and treats everyone with respect. I feel like playing for the Carolina Force was the best decision I made!"
Izzy Steele
Pinecrest High School Class of 2019
Meredith College
"Carolina Force is THE program to be apart of. As a now retired collegiate athlete, I owe a lot of my success to my hometown force community. Lacrosse in the Sandhills not only taught me how to be a competitive athlete, but also encouraged me to be a better all around person. The force community is one full of people who not only care about your sport success, but also your success as a young adult. Still to this day Carolina Force community still supports me in any way I need, it is truly provides a community that is forever united as one."
