The USA Lacrosse Players of the Week recognize the most outstanding individual performances in high school boys’ lacrosse in each of the five regions — Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, South, Midwest and West — outlined in our high school coverage.
NORTHEAST
Cal Girard, Manhasset (N.Y.)
Cal Girard has been a dominant force at the faceoff X since he arrived at Manhasset (N.Y.) four years ago. But as a senior, the Duke commit has taken his game to a different stratosphere. A returning All-American who helped guide the Indians to the New York State Class C title a year ago, Girard is winning 83 percent of his faceoffs this season. On Saturday, in the latest Battle of the Sound showdown against Darien (Conn.), Girard won 14 of 16 faceoffs and added a goal and an assist in the 11-2 win over the Blue Wave in a meeting of nationally-ranked squads.
“One of the keys was to maximize our offensive possessions and Cal kickstarted that from the start of the game for us,” Manhasset coach Keith Cromwell said. “He continues to be a dominant presence at his position and is so extremely valuable to the team. To be able to win 14 of 16 at the faceoff X as well as chipping in one goal and one assist against an opponent like Darien was an outstanding performance and a major factor in our win.”
Also notable: Brayden Arias, Comsewogue (N.Y.); Ethan Aust, Penfield (N.Y.); Jimmy Ayers, St. John’s Prep (Mass.); Carter Hagen, Darien (Conn.); Daniel Picart, Pleasantville (N.Y.)
— Dylan Butler
MID-ATLANTIC
Brendan Millon, McDonogh (Md.)
The sophomore attackman was hurt for much of the early portion of last year but returned to help the Eagles win the MIAA A Conference crown. This year it is his senior brother, McCabe, who has missed games early with injury, and Brendan Millon has helped to lessen the sting of not having McCabe. Brendan came through with one of his best games of the year in McDonogh’s toughest challenge yet. Millon scored five times and had two assists to help the Eagles hold off Boys’ Latin (Md.) 11-10.
Also notable: Dylan Cadigan, Boys’ Latin (Md.); Jackson Gaffney, Radnor (Pa.): Lucas Hurlburt, Fallston (Md.); Matt Sentowski, Mountain Lakes (N.J.); Charlie Schutta, Ocean City (N.J.); Bennett Wright, Loyola-Blakefield (Md.)
— Justin Feil