USA Lacrosse High School Girls' Players of the Week

The USA Lacrosse Players of the Week recognize the most outstanding individual performances in high school girls’ lacrosse in each of the four active regions — Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest and West — outlined in our high school coverage The South Region has completed play for the season.

NORTHEAST

Ava Arceri, Smithtown East (N.Y.)

It must be in the blood, because there’s something about May lacrosse that brings out the best in an Arceri. Gerard Arceri was a standout faceoff specialist who helped lead Smithtown East (N.Y.) to back-to-back Suffolk County championships before heading to Penn State and younger brother Chris came up big on a number of occasions before playing at Penn. And now it’s Ava Arceri’s turn.

Before heading to Stanford in the fall, the senior is trying to extend her high school career as long as possible. Arceri had seven goals and one assist for the fifth-seeded Bulls in a 12-8 upset win over top-seeded Ward Melville (N.Y.) in the Suffolk Class A semifinals. And like her brothers, Ava dominated at the restart, winning 12 of 16 clean to herself on self draws.

And now Arceri, who has 72 goals and 34 assists on the season, and Smithtown East will take on second-seeded Northport (N.Y.) in the county final May 31.

“Ava’s performance was outstanding. She was well prepared and focused on what we knew she needed to do to help our team win,” Smithtown East coach Brie Claire Sheehy said. “From controlling the draws, being composed on offense and disciplined on defense, she executed whenever we needed her to. Ava is a very talented player who shows up in big games.”

Also notable: Sabrina Boyle, Our Lady of Mercy (N.Y.); Kylee Colbert, North Shore (N.Y.); Gabby Delsanto, Canton (Conn.); Chloe Humphrey, Darien (Conn.); Quinn McCarren, Suffern (N.Y.)

— Dylan Butler

MID-ATLANTIC

Taylor Jendryk, Liberty (Md.)

Taylor Jendryk scored six goals on six shots to help Liberty (Md.) to end an emotional run with a 14-10 win over Fallston (Md.) to claim their third straight 1A Maryland State Championship. One week after last year’s state title, Liberty head coach Tom Brandel’s wife, Karyn, was diagnosed with glioblastoma. Her battle inspired the team to dedicate their efforts this season to her and her family. Before the state final, the team unveiled new shooting shirts in honor of the Brandel family.

Jendryk helped to finish off the special season in which the Lions won their final 13 games to go 16-1. Along the way they defeated another state champion, 4A winner Broadneck (Md.), as well as defending 3A champion Marriotts Ridge. Their lone loss came against unbeaten Manchester Valley (Md.). Jendryk was part of a senior class that went 13-0 in playoff games over their careers. She will continue playing at Flagler College.

Also notable: Devon Chipman, Tatnall School (Del.); Sienna Chirieleison, Trinity (Pa.); Caroline Chisholm, Agnes Irwin (Pa.); Alyssa Chung, Severna Park (Md.); Kat Harding, Penncrest (Pa.); Mary Moore, Broadneck (Md.); Jocelyn Morgan, Easton (Pa.); Megan Nelson, Cinnaminson (N.J.); Emma Penczek, Manchester Valley (Md.); Kaitlyn Roth, Penncrest (Pa.); Alexa Vogelman, Owen J. Roberts (Pa.); Avery Young, Jefferson (N.J.)

— Justin Feil

MIDWEST

Emma Burke, Loyola Academy (Ill.)

Tied with New Trier (Ill.) and down a player for the final 15 minutes, Loyola faced tough odds. Emma Burke helped the Ramblers overcome those odds with three goals, four draw controls, three ground balls and two caused turnovers in an 8-5 win over the Trevians for the sectional championship. She finished the week with seven goals, three assists and 18 draw controls. Of course, it should be noted how good the Ramblers’ defense was as well in holding the Trevians scoreless over the final 14 minutes, led by Marquette commit Sophie Goldberg and keeper Tia Boyle.

Also notable: Abby Black, Upper Arlington (Ohio); Gabby Bouman, Lakeville South (Minn.); Makena Harrington, Olentangy Liberty (Ohio); Reese Napier, Hinsdale Central (Ill.); Audrey Schoemer, Upper Arlington (Ohio); Anna Seftenberg, New Trier (Ill.)

— Jonah Rosenblum

WEST

Sophie Neff, Park City (Utah)

The junior was the catalyst for Park City’s attack in the UHSAA/Mountain America Class 5A state championship game, as the Miners beat top-seeded Olympus (Utah), 12-8, for its second state title. Neff scored an unassisted goal to tie the game at 5-5 going into halftime and finished with three goals and two assists, as Park City avenged last season’s one-goal loss to the Titans in the 2022 title match. Neff also had four goals and one assist in a 15-4 win over Wasatch (Utah) in the semifinals.

Also notable: Taya Dukes, Seattle Prep (Wash.); Tessa Randall, Jesuit Portland (Ore.)

— Laurel Pfahler