The USA Lacrosse Players of the Week recognize the most outstanding individual performances in high school girls’ lacrosse in each of the five regions — Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, South, Midwest and West — outlined in our high school coverage. Games are considered from the previous Monday through Sunday.
NORTHEAST
Gabby Cimino, St. John the Baptist (N.Y.)
From one win to a state championship, Gabby Cimino was at the heart of a remarkable turnaround for St. John the Baptist (N.Y.). The Cougars captured their first state title in program history, defeating Xaverian (N.Y.), 17-7, following a 15-1 victory over Our Lady of Mercy (N.Y.) for the NSCHSAA ‘A’ title. Cimino had three goals and nine assists in the state championship game, playing a role in 70.6% of St. John the Baptist’s goals.
“Gabby is so important,” Cougars coach Janine Pirone told Newsday. “She was a transfer last year and like I said to her on senior day, she found her home. This home is a special place for her.”
The Cougars finished the season with an 11-8 record after winning just once a year ago.
“I was definitely more locked in today,” Cimino told Newsday. “I was nervous to start but as soon as we got going and two minutes into the first [quarter], it was just excitement. It was my last game, so I had to give it everything I had.”
Also notable: Tess Calabria, St. Anthony’s (N.Y.); Mia Cantillana, Irvington (N.Y.); Lilly Mattucci, Hilton (N.Y.); Emerson Midura, Noble & Greenough (Mass.); Jenna Obloj, West Islip (N.Y.); Katelyn Quinlan, Croton (N.Y.)
— Dylan Butler
MID-ATLANTIC
Ella Springer, Agnes Irwin (Pa.)
Springer scored three goals and had an assist as the Owls defeated Episcopal (Pa.) 9-8 in a key Inter-Ac League showdown. It’s the second win of the season over Episcopal for Agnes Irwin. No one else has defeated Episcopal. Episcopal led, 5-3, before the Owls scored the only four goals of the third quarter – two from Springer including the go-ahead score – to take control of the game.
Springer also had a goal and assist in Agnes Irwin’s 11-9 win over Springside Chestnut Hill (Pa.) in the week to secure a share of the Inter-Ac championship with Episcopal. Both are 8-2 in the league with Agnes Irwin reeling off eight straight wins since a tough opening. She had a goal and four assists in a 16-11 win over Hill School (Pa.) in the PAISAA state quarterfinals. Springer, a senior, will play at Johns Hopkins next year.
Also notable: Emily Altshuler, Glenelg High (Md.); Hadley Booth, St. Anne’s-Belfield (Va.); Molly Davies, Summit (N.J.); Ava Findora, Downingtown West (Pa.); Ilyana Jones, Spring Ford (Pa.); Erin Hussey, Severna Park (Md.); Ava Kirkwood, Pingry (N.J.); Ava Lambros, Fallston (Md.); Sophie Loschert, Oak Knoll (N.J.); Annabelle Mahoney, Pingry (N.J.); Hannah Rudolph, Good Counsel (Md.); Molly Schiavone, Southern (Md.); Dani Serrano, Good Counsel (Md.); Torunn Spencer, Dulaney (Md.); Annabelle Walsh, Good Counsel (Md.)
— Justin Feil