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.
The South Region has concluded play, so this week, we honor the top players from the other four regions.
NORTHEAST
Isabella Blanco, Westhampton (N.Y.)
All it takes is one shot. And Isabella Blanco made sure her first shot of the season counted in a big way. It was a shot she called.
“Ever since the start of the playoffs, I’ve been saying that I’m going to run it down the field, draw a foul and take my first shot of the season and win a huge playoff game,” Blanco told Newsday after the game.
The junior defender scored on a free-position shot in the sixth overtime to lead Westhampton (N.Y.) to a 6-5 win over Garden City (N.Y.) in the Long Island Class B final at Stony Brook’s Lavalle Stadium. Blanco’s first shot and goal clinched Westhampton’s first Long Island title in school history.
Also notable: Catherine Berkery, Bronxville (N.Y.); Josie Cavallo, Albertus Magnus (N.Y.); Chloe Humphrey, Darien (Conn.); Kaylie Mackiewicz, Northport (N.Y.); Alexis Morton, Massapequa (N.Y.); Maddie Tully, New Canaan (Conn.)
— Dylan Butler
MID-ATLANTIC
Grace Farrell, Haddonfield (N.J.)
The Haddons freshman has been around the program because her mother – the 2002 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player Lauren Simone Farrell of Princeton University – is the team’s offensive coordinator, but this is her first year suiting up for Haddonfield. Farrell enjoyed her most important performance of her first year in one of Haddonfield’s biggest moments – the New Jersey Group I championship. She scored her team’s final three goals of the game, including the game-winner in overtime for an 8-7 win over Mountain Lakes (N.J.).
Her first goal tied the game, 6-6, off an assist from Stella Stolarick, who had a hat trick and two assists. Farrell’s second score tied the game again, 7-7, on a free-position shot, and her third goal with 1:59 to go in overtime earned Haddonfield its fourth straight state championship. Farrell had three points in Haddonfield’s 13-7 semifinal win over Glen Ridge (N.J.), and has 37 goals and 15 assists for the season.
Also notable: Julia Givens, Twin Valley (Pa.); Ashley Kiernan, Chatham (N.J.); Alana Lepore, Conestoga (Pa.); Megan O’Brien, Morristown (N.J.); Mia Raucci, Garnet Valley (Pa.); Stella Stolarick, Haddonfield (N.J.)
— Justin Feil