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, Mid-Atlantic, South, Midwest and West — outlined in our high school coverage. Make it Epoch. 

Northeast

Cescily Wheeler, Newburyport (Mass.)

The senior midfielder finished with three goals and an assist to lead the Clippers to an 11-8 win over rival Ipswich (Mass.), which entered the game undefeated. Wheeler controlled the majority of the draws and also assisted on three free-position goals. The George Washington commit is on pace to finish in the top five in the state in goals and points.

Also notable: Molly Carter, Lynbrook (N.Y.); Kayla Downey, West Bablyon (N.Y.); Riley Reh, Patchogue-Medford (N.Y.)

— Will Cleveland

Mid-Atlantic

Maddie Jenner, McDonogh (Md.)

The junior midfielder dominated at the draw circle in helping the top-ranked Eagles finish out an eighth straight unbeaten season with an IAAM title. Jenner was at her best in Saturday’s final against Notre Dame Prep (Md.), controlling 14 draws and chipping in three goals in a 12-9 win. The Duke recruit kept the offense on the field by grabbing 10 draws in Thursday’s 12-7 semifinal victory over Glenelg Country (Md.). On May 9, she was the star of an 18-3 pounding of St. Paul’s (Md.) with four goals and an assist, plus nine more draw controls.

Also notable: Bryn Boylan, Central Bucks West (Pa.); Caroline Blalock, Marriotts Ridge (Md.); Sam Swart, Archbishop Carroll (Pa.); Cai Martin, Freehold Township (N.J.); Quinn Nicolai, Moorestown (N.J.); Ada Clare Tempert, Mercy (Md.)

— Eric Detweiler

South

Peyton Smith, Lambert (Ga.)

Smith got the go-ahead goal in Lambert’s 10-8 win over Pope in the third round of the state playoffs to send Lambert into the GHSA Final Four. She struck with the score tied 8-8. In the second round, Smith scored six goals in Lambert’s 17-5 win over Harrison. She has scored 12 goals with five assists and 13 draw controls through three playoff games. For the season, she has 64 goals, 21 assists and 60 draw controls, and for her career, she sits at 223 goals, 96 assists and 283 draw controls.

Also notable: Jennifer Buckley, Kell (Ga.); Meghan Crandall, Pope (Ga.); Bridget Deehan, Milton (Ga.); Gabby DiVirgilio, Lambert (Ga.); Lauren Gladstein, North Gwinnett (Ga.); Kendall Goldblum, Hoggard (N.C.); Haley Gorke, North Gwinnett (Ga.); Bailey Hawkins, Cambridge (Ga.); Anna McCormick, John’s Creek (Ga.); Grace Nelson, Cardinal Gibbons (N.C.); Cassie New, Cardinal Gibbons (N.C.); Anna Ogan, Chattahoochee (Ga.); Jordan O’Rourk, Lambert (Ga.); Carol Seigler, Broughton (N.C.); Julie Thomas, Kennesaw Mountain (Ga.).

— Aimee Ford Foster

Midwest

Brennan Dwyer, Loyola Academy (Ill.)

Dwyer is once again regional Player of the Week after scoring 15 goals in three games versus tough competition last week. The Northwestern-bound senior has scored 104 goals this season. Dwyer leads the state of Illinois in goals, assists, ground ball controls, caused turnovers and draw controls. 

Also notable: Katie Haley, Maine South (Ill.); Julia Hartnett, Massillon Jackson (Ohio); Brooke Lewis, Eden Prairie (Minn.)

— Justin Boggs

West

Grace Houser, Mater Dei (Calif.)

The University of California-bound senior had three goals, two assists and six draw controls to help Mater Dei to the Southern Section title on Saturday with a 21-11 win over Redondo (Calif.), but it was her performance in the Orange County final earlier in the week that ensured the Monarchs a chance to repeat as champions. Houser was dominant on the draw to help Mater Dei control possession in the second half and led all players with five goals and an assist in a 13-9 win over Foothill-Santa Ana (Calif.), including one to make it 11-9 with 10:34 to go. She won eight draws and finished with five groundballs.

Also notable: Sophia Hagstromer, Bainbridge Island (Wash.); Taylor Scornavacco, Torrey Pines (Calif.); Pearl Schwartz, Cherry Creek (Colo.); Ashley Ward, California High (Calif.); Abby Wolfenden, Menlo (Calif.)

— Laurel Pfahler