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.

Coverage of the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest concluded last week. The South finished in May.

This is the final in-season update of the 2021 campaign. Check back to usalaxmagazine.com in the coming weeks as we name our national and regional players of the year.

NORTHEAST

Jimmy Ayers, St. John’s Prep (Mass.)

Jimmy Ayers made sure the wait is over for St. John’s Prep.

The sophomore attackman had four goals and one assist, with three goals coming in a span of 1:58 in the first half to help the Eagles defeat Boston College High 11-7 to capture the MIAA Division I title Thursday. It is St. John’s Prep's first state crown since 2010.

It concluded a game that started Wednesday night, but had to be halted due to severe weather with St. John’s Prep leading 9-4 in the second quarter. Ayers is a major reason why the Eagles went on a 7-0 run and took that cushion into the resumption of play as St. John’s Prep defeated their Catholic Conference rivals for the third time in four meetings this season. 

Also notable: Brad Peterson, Dover-Sherborn (Mass), Dominic Veratti, Longmeadow (Mass.), Coleson Hanrahan, Longmeadow (Mass.)

— Dylan Butler

WEST

Dillon Pless, Mountain Vista (Colo.)

The junior midfielder scored the game-winner in overtime to lift Mountain Vista to a 10-9 win against Valor Christian (Colo.) in the CHSAA Class 5A championship. Pless finished with three goals and two assists to lead the team in points, but his final contribution was the one that mattered most, coming 40 seconds into overtime after a Valor turnover.

The Golden Eagles had never been to a state final, but they took advantage for the program’s first title. Pless also had a hat trick in the state semifinals, including the game-tying goal with a minute left in a 13-12 overtime win over Cherry Creek, and had the overtime winner in the quarterfinals as well. He finished the season with 33 goals and 12 assists.

Also notable: Mitch Gutgsell, Valor Christian (Colo.); Matthew Kelleher, Cheyenne Mountain (Colo.); Kevin Papa, Cheyenne Mountain (Colo.)

— Laurel Pfahler