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 completed its season.

NORTHEAST

Alexandra Hopkins, Garden City (N.Y.)

Before heading off to Yale University in the fall, Hopkins had some unfinished business at Garden City High. The senior midfielder was instrumental in the Trojans’ return to glory, playing a pivotal role in both the Nassau Class B title and the Long Island championship that followed on Saturday. Hopkins set the tone against South Side with two of her three goals coming in the opening seven minutes of a 14-6 win, the Trojans’ first county crown since 2017. And then in her final high school game, Hopkins had five goals and two assists in a 14-5 victory over West Babylon as Garden City laid claim to an 18th overall Long Island championship.

“Alexandra had an incredible playoff run,” first-year Garden City coach Dave Ettinger said of Hopkins, who finished the season with 32 goals and 13 assists. “She was dominant at both ends of the field.”

Also notable: Kaylie Mackieiwcz, Northport (N.Y.), Alex Fusco, Bayport-Blue Point (N.Y.), Anna Spehr, Cold Spring Harbor (N.Y.), Sydney Pappas, Garden City (N.Y.), Alexis Morton, Manhasset (N.Y.), Lacey Downey, West Babylon (N.Y.)

— Dylan Butler

MID-ATLANTIC

Riley Matthiesen, Liberty (Md.) and Bella Rulapaugh, Queen Anne’s (Md.)

Matthiesen and Rulapaugh are co-players of the week for the Mid-Atlantic Region after each led her team to its first-ever state championship.

Matthiesen scored five goals (on five shots) and Liberty (Md.) needed every one of them to register a 10-9 win over Fallston (Md.) for the Class 1A state championship on Saturday. It’s the first lacrosse title — boys or girls — in school history. Added as a team captain for the playoffs because of her ability to make her teammates better, the sophomore attacker helped Liberty rally from a 5-2 deficit. Her goal 10 seconds before halftime pulled the Lions within a goal. She scored twice in the second half to give Liberty leads and then scored the Lions’ ninth goal before they held on to capture the title. 

Rulapaugh scored seven goals to help Queen Anne’s (Md.) win its first state title with a 13-10 victory over Middletown (Md.) in the Class 2A championship Saturday at Loyola University Maryland’s Ridley Athletic Complex. The Louisville-bound Rulapaugh scored three straight goals to break a 5-5 tie and build a 9-5 halftime lead. Middletown got within 11-10 before Piper Evans and Rulapaugh scored single goals. Queen Anne’s finished the season 12-0, including an 8-7 win over top-seeded Hereford (Md.) in the 2A semifinals.

Also notable: Maizy Clevinger, Marriotts Ridge (Md.); Lexi Dupcak, Broadneck (Md.); Margaret Lawler, Moorestown (N.J.); Riley Matthiesen, Liberty (Md.); Abby Simonetti, Queen Anne’s (Md.); Annika Spoor, Oak Knoll (N.J.)

— Justin Feil

MIDWEST

Mackenzie Salentre, Prior Lake (Minn.)

Despite not making her 2021 debut until mid-May, the senior managed to compile 34 goals in nine games, averaging just a tick under four per contest. That included four-plus in each of Prior Lake’s final four games en route to a state championship. After scoring four goals to top undefeated Edina (Minn.) in the Section 6 championship game, Salentre scored four more in a state quarterfinal against Andover (Minn.). She then upped the ante to five goals and two assists in the state semifinals against Benilde-St. Maragaret’s (Minn.) and six goals in the title game against Lakeville South (Minn.).

Also notable: Ellie Lazzaretto, Loyola Academy (Ill.); Payton Bloedow, Prior Lake (Minn.); Maley Starr, Loyola Academy (Ill.)

— Jonah Rosenblum

WEST

Eliza Osburn, Valor Christian (Colo.)

The freshman midfielder played a big role in the Eagles’ two games last week. She scored five goals and collected nine ground balls in a 17-7 win over Kent Denver (Colo.) to open the postseason Saturday in the CHSAA Class 5A quarterfinals. Osburn also had three goals in a 13-12 overtime victory against Cherry Creek in the regular-season finale June 15.

Also notable: Jessie Bakes, Colorado Academy (Colo.); Genna Gibbons, Sacred Heart Prep (Calif.)

— Laurel Pfahler