The Epoch/US Lacrosse Players of the Week are named each Tuesday to recognize the most outstanding individual performances in high school boys’  and girls’ lacrosse in each of the five regions — Northeast (begins next week), Mid-Atlantic, South, Midwest and West — outlined in our high school coverage. Make it Epoch. 

Northeast

Taylor Strough, Cold Spring Harbor (N.Y.)

The Fairfield recruit tallied eight goals to power the defending Class C state champs to a 16-12 win over Syosset (N.Y.) last week and had six goals in a 13-4 win over Oyster Bay (N.Y.) on Monday. Strough now has 19 goals and two assists in four games this year. He finished with 52 goals and 10 assists last season as a junior.

Also notable: Ryan Archer, Jamesville-DeWitt (N.Y.); Aidan Byrnes, Chaminade (N.Y.); Matt Grillo, Ward Melville (N.Y.); J.P. Lanning, Syosset (N.Y.); William Waters, St. Anthony’s (N.Y.)

— Will Cleveland

Mid-Atlantic

Matt Brandau, Boys’ Latin (Md.)

The junior attackman played the hero in Friday’s 12-11 overtime win over then-No. 17 Gonzaga (D.C.). Brandau scored in the final minute of regulation to force the extra period and then found the net again to win it. The Yale recruit totaled four goals and three assists in two victories for the Lakers, who are off to a 5-1 start.

Also notable: Mac Bredahl, Chatham (N.J); Michael Long, Delbarton (N.J.); Kaleb Fernandez, Georgetown Prep (Md.); Tommy Sopko, Conestoga (Pa.); Evan Trizonis, Garnet Valley (Pa.).

— Eric Detweiler

South

Christian Tomei, Oxbridge Academy (Fla.)

The sophomore goalie picked up 26 saves in a 16-11 win over ranked Centennial (Ga.) last week and also had 12 saves in a win over Valor Christian (Colo.). Coach Stan Ross said his team would not have beaten Centennial without Tomei, who is committed to Ohio State.

Also notable: Sheldon Brown, Paul Laurence Dunbar (Ky.); Tavis Cobb, Tates Creek (Ky.); Daniel Burnam, Dallas Jesuit (Texas); Christian Castillo, St. Joseph’s Catholic (S.C.); Jared DiSalvo, Martin County (Fla.); Joe Gitlin, Charlotte Latin (N.C.); Jack Kilian, Oxbridge Academy (Fla.); Griffin Knor, Kell (Ga.); Brooks Long, Wake Forest (N.C.); Connor McGraw, Barron Collier (Fla.); Connor Moravec, Southern Alamance (N.C.); Van Parker, Broughton (N.C.); Bo Power, Great Atlanta Christian (Ga.); Colin Silva, Butler (N.C.)

— Aimee Ford Foster

Midwest

Hub Hejna, East Grand Rapids (Mich.)

Hejna helped East Grand Rapids rally from a seven-goal deficit to beat Detroit Catholic Central (Mich.) last week. He scored six goals and five assists in the March 29 win, which helped the Pioneers remain unbeaten. 

Also notable: Davis Kurz, Upper Arlington (Ohio); Jack Kelly, Brother Rice (Mich.)

— Justin Boggs

West

Zach Friedland, Torrey Pines (Calif.)

The junior attackman came up big for the Falcons in a pair of wins over West-ranked opponents. He tallied three goals in a 12-2 win over Regis Jesuit (Colo.) and had four goals in a 10-7 win over Corona del Mar (Calif.), as Torrey Pines improved to 9-0. Friedland is committed to Georgetown.

Also notable: Nick Beeson, Poway (Calif.); Mason Depaola, Rancho Cotate (Calif.); Paul Johnson, Bellevue (Wash.); Kaleb Stroman, Legend (Colo.) 

— Laurel Pfahler