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.
NORTHEAST
Chris Gaine, Brunswick School (Conn.)
Chris Gaine has a great sense of raising his level to match the magnitude of the moment. Case in point, the senior who is on the Brunswick School second midfield line played arguably his best lacrosse of the season to help the Bruins win the inaugural Prep Nationals in his final high school games.
In the semifinals, Gaine had three goals in an 11-7 win over Salisbury School (Conn.) as the Bruins avenged their lone loss of the season. He was also instrumental in a 12-6 championship win over Lawrenceville (N.J.), scoring four goals and picking up three ground balls on the weekend.
“With all the fire power between all four teams, Gaine played his final two games in a Brunswick uniform like a man on a mission,” Brunswick School coach David Bruce said. “He was the star of our semifinal game against Salisbury and had another strong performance in the championship against Lawrenceville.”
Also notable: Henry Dodge, Staples (Conn.); Andrew Girolamo, Archbishop Stepinac (N.Y.); Jackson Greene, St. Anthony’s (N.Y.); Michael Ippoliti, St. Dominic (N.Y.); Matthew Minicus, Darien (Conn.); Michael Oronzio, Byram Hills (N.Y.); Danny Shaban, Joel Barlow (Conn.)
— Dylan Butler
MID-ATLANTIC
Brendan Millon, McDonogh (Md.)
The freshman attack missed most of the season with an injury, but the final games of his first year of high school won’t ever be forgotten. Millon scored as the final buzzer sounded for an 11-10 win over defending champion Boys’ Latin (Md.) in the MIAA A Conference semifinals. Three days later, he had a hat trick as the Eagles won their first MIAA A crown since 2016 with a 14-8 win over St. Mary’s (Md.) at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Millon helped McDonogh pull away with a goal after St. Mary’s had closed within 6-4 in the third quarter.
Also notable: Brayton Bellafiore, Unionville (Pa.); Tyler Grove, St. John’s Catholic Prep (Md.); Caleb Haire, Archbishop Curley (Md.); Koleton Marquis (N.J.); Will McCulloch, St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes (Va.); AJ Nikolic, Malvern (Pa.); Jack Pilling, La Salle (Pa.); Zack Overend, St. Mary’s (Md.); Keegan Ryan, Mt. Hebron (Md.)
— Justin Feil