The US 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.
NORTHEAST
Claire Maloney, New Canaan (Conn.)
It’s been a long wait, made even longer by a quarantine that delayed the start of the 2021 season, but Maloney more than made up for lost time with a sterling performance in a 7-5 win over rival and nationally ranked Darien. The junior Brown commit, in her first varsity start, made 10 saves to hand the Blue Wave a rare in-state defeat. She split time with senior captain Shea Hobbs on Saturday and made five saves in an 15-8 win over Greenwich (Conn.).
“Claire is a standout on and off the field,” New Canaan coach Kristin Woods said. “She is hardworking, driven and focused to make an impact in every game. Her dedication to improving every day is evident in her outstanding play this season.”
Also notable: Shea Dolce, Darien (Conn.); Ryan Hapgood, Darien (Conn.); Izzy Casucci, St. Joseph (Conn.); Braeden LeBeau, North Branford (Conn.)
— Dylan Butler
MID-ATLANTIC
Christina Gagnon, St. Paul’s (Md.)
Gagnon was huge in the circle and on offense as St. Paul’s became the first IAAM team since 2008 to knock off former No. 1 McDonogh (Md.) in a regular-season game. The USC-bound senior scored five goals and had three assists in a 16-9 win over the previously unbeaten Eagles on Wednesday. There was no letdown against a solid Bryn Mawr (Md.) team, as Gagnon tallied three goals and one assist in a 15-10 win on Saturday to keep the Gators perfect this year and in first place in the IAAM going into the final week of the regular season.
Also notable: Allison Baldwin, Georgetown Visitation (D.C.); Rachel Clark, Conestoga (Pa.); Lindsey Devir, Ridgewood (N.J.); Cate Gallagher, Chatham (N.J.); Nancy Holleran, Notre Dame (Md.); Dylan Silar, Moorestown (N.J.)
— Justin Feil
SOUTH
Josie Ward, Franklin (Tenn.)
Vanderbilt recruit Josie Ward has played at a high level throughout the season, scoring 141 points in 15 games played. Ward has seven goals in three straight contests and has converted on more than 75 percent of her shots. She had seven-goal, three-assist games against both Ensworth (Tenn.) and Page (Tenn.) last week.
Also notable: Maddie Dora, Milton (Ga.); Brooke Goldstein, American Heritage-Delray (Florida); Sofia Guttmann, St. Thomas Aquinas (Florida)
— Justin Boggs