USA Lacrosse High School Girls' Players of the Week

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

Tess Calabria, St. Anthony’s (N.Y.)

While the seniors on the St. Anthony’s girls lacrosse team have played their last high school game, Tess Calabria is just getting started.

The sophomore stepped up on the biggest stage of the season, helping lead the Friars to a comprehensive 17-5 win over Sacred Heart (N.Y.) in the CHSAA Class AA championship game. Calabria had a game-high five goals, but also impacted the game from the draw circle.

“Tess had one of the best games of our season. She is always dominant on the circle, but she really set the entire tone for the game with her draw controls,” St. Anthony’s coach Summer Koepplin said. “Additionally, some of her goals were pretty incredible. She got a feed from Abby [LoCascio] that was maybe six inches from the ground and turned it into one of the coolest quick-stick goals I’ve ever seen.”

Also notable: Maggie Appelle, Yorktown (N.Y.); Reilly Byrne, Pleasantville (N.Y.); Josie Cavallo, Albertus Magnus (N.Y.); Caroline Colton, Somers (Conn.); Julia Foppiano, Plainedge (N.Y.); Madison Taylor, Wantagh (N.Y.); Payton Tini, Locust Valley (N.Y.)

— Dylan Butler

MID-ATLANTIC

Anna Hackett and Caroline Little, Century (Md.)

The senior duo helped the Knights to a monster 3-0 week in the playoffs. It started with Hackett scoring four times in an 8-7 win over previously unbeaten Glenelg High (Md.) for the Class 2A West Region I championship.

Hackett, an Elon commit, had five goals, and Little scored twice in a 23-0 win over Northeast (Md.) in the state quarterfinals. Little, a Virginia Tech commit, scored six goals to lead the offense and Hackett had four goals in a 19-8 win over Middletown (Md.) in the 2A state semifinals. The wins kept the Knights unbeaten this season heading into the state 2A championship game.

Also notable: Theresa Bragg, Severna Park (Md.); Lexi Dupcak, Broadneck (Md.); Sophia Loschert, Oak Knoll (N.J.); Stella Shea, St. John’s College (D.C.); Val Thompson, Liberty (Md.)

— Justin Feil

SOUTH

Gracie Mullahy, Cardinal Gibbons (N.C.)

Gracie Mullahy gave opposing defenses fits all year and she stepped up when her team needed her the most. In last week’s state championship, the junior midfielder scored a hat trick and added a pair of assists helping Cardinal Gibbons to a state title. In the semifinal round, Mullahy scored four goals. She was the team-leader with 62 goals in 2022.

Also notable: Peyton Chadwick, Charlotte Catholic (N.C.)

— Justin Boggs

MIDWEST

Sarah Beth Burns, Kentucky Country Day (Ky.)

Sarah Beth Burns set a tone with the first two goals in KCD’s state title game victory over Sacred Heart. She ended up with a monstrous performance, tallying three goals, an assist, six ground balls and four caused turnovers. All told, Burns played a part in four of seven Bearcats’ goals in their 7-5 win.

Also notable: Mia Darr, University School of Milwaukee (Wisc.); Riley Jenkins, Loyola Academy (Ill.); Kennedy Meier, New Trier (Ill.); Ava Schlitz, Prior Lake (Minn.); Abby Sisson, University School of Milwaukee (Wisc.)

— Jonah Rosenblum

WEST

Luca DeMaio, La Jolla (Calif.)

The senior attacker/midfielder finished her high school career in style, completing a hat trick with the decisive goal in a 9-8 win over Scripps Ranch in the CIF San Diego Open final. Scripps Ranch had won the last two titles. DeMaio’s final goal gave the Vikings a 9-6 lead and held up for the winner. The captain also had five goals and nine draw controls in a 20-7 win over Cathedral Catholic in the semifinals and finished her COVID-shortened career with 152 goals, including 84 this season. DeMaio also was named the Western League Player of the Year last week.

Also notable: Molly Brodsky, Mercer Island (Wash.); Anna Colpack, Colorado Academy (Colo.); Charlie Iacobelli, Park City (Utah); Vivian Leuthold, Colorado Academy (Colo.); Edie Prager, Lake Oswego (Ore.)