Taylor Cummings is a three-time Tewaaraton winner, a member of Team USA and the head coach at McDonogh (Md.) . "Taylor's Takes" is presented by Gait Lacrosse. Be legendary.

Listening to Rachael DeCecco call the Ohio State-Penn State game on Friday was exactly what I needed to start my weekend off right. Having a woman in the booth who has not only played lacrosse at the highest levels possible, but who can also articulate the strategies and nuances of the game for viewers is critical to the growth of our sport.

Rachael was able to explain to viewers what the calls were, why coaches were making the decisions they were making and what each team needed to adjust to find success. I hope we get to hear even more from her and other amazing females in our sport like Sheehan Stanwick Burch, Amari Pollard, Tari Kandemiri and Dana Boyle throughout the season. They each elevate our game to another level and give the fans exactly what they want- — information and entertainment!

And now to the powerful women who impressed me on the field.

Taylor’s Top Players

Kristin O’Neill, Penn State

O’Neill does not play like a freshman. She’s confident on both ends of the field, has her nose in every draw control vand steps up in big moments for her Nittany Lions teammates. In Friday’s midday game against Ohio State, O’Neill was able to create a perfect double and get a clean check off before racing to the other end of the field to start the Penn State offense.

Speaking from experience, being a two-way midfielder as a freshman is NOT easy, and O’Neill makes it look stress-free and fun.

Chloe Johnson, Ohio State

In Ohio State’s much-needed victory on Friday, Johnson was all over the field. She scored one goal and added two assists in the Buckeyes’ win, but where she made her presence most known was on the draw circle.

Being a center in tightly contested matches is tough. The phrase “win the draw, win the game” comes to mind and immediately adds more pressure to the centers. However, Johnson was able to place the ball both to herself and to her circle with ease and helped Ohio State dominate the draw 38-13 over the weekend sweep of the Nittany Lions. Johnson controlled 19 draws by herself in those two games.

Sarah Blalock, Louisville

Blalock drew the tough task of face-guarding a powerhouse attacker in Boston College’s Charlotte North this weekend. This matchup is admittedly a difficult one, but Blalock was well up to the task and held North to one goal over two games.

Face-guarding is a bit of an art form. You have to be fast, quick and strong in order to stick to an opponent like glue, but you also have to be a solid defender in case that person gets the ball. Blalock showed she’s the ultimate face-guarder by limiting North’s possession time and playing solid 1-v-1 defense in the few instances she got the ball.

Jennifer Barry, Boston U.

Barry was on fire all over the field in Boston’s weekend matchup with Holy Cross. She chipped in three goals, three assists and one ground ball for the Terriers along with her record-breaking 18 draw controls.

What’s even more impressive about Barry’s day was that 14 of those draw wins came in the first half. With someone as talented and dangerous in the center circle as Barry, the Terriers get so much more possession time, increasing their opportunity to win each game.

Bridget Deehan, Notre Dame

In a top-10 matchup between Duke and Notre Dame on Sunday, Deehan was able to stifle the Blue Devil offense from the opening whistle. One of her most impressive series of saves came in the middle of the second half when the Duke offense was trying to close a five-goal gap.

Deehan not only stopped an off-side hip shot off the free position. She was then able to make another doorstop save on the rebound shot from the ground. She ended the weekend with 12 saves (57 percent) to secure the Irish victory.

Taylor’s Top 10 Teams

1. North Carolina (10-0)
2. Syracuse (6-0)
3. Northwestern (8-0)
4. Notre Dame (5-2)
5. Boston College (7-1)
6. Stony Brook (8-2)
7. Virginia (7-2)
8. Duke (6-4)
9. Maryland (5-2)
10. Jacksonville (5-0)