AMHERST, Mass. — Playing on its home turf, the Massachusetts/Rhode Island continued its run of success at the USA Lacrosse Women’s National Tournament with all four of its entries winning their respective division, including bringing home the Val Walchak Trophy for capturing the top flight for the fifth time in the last seven years.
A strong defensive effort led Massachusetts/Rhode Island past Washington state for the second year in a row, this time by an 11-1 score. Scarlett Mirak led her team with three goals and two assists in the championship game while Tara Battaglino, a junior from Wellesley (Mass.) High School was named as the Most Outstanding Player in the Red Division. Camilla Manfredo scored for Washington.
Nearly 900 high school girls’ lacrosse players from 28 states and the District of Columbia competed over the two-day tournament at the University of Massachusetts as the historic event celebrated its 92nd year of operation.
Joining Massachusetts/Rhode Island as division winners was the Idaho/Montana/Wyoming region, which won the Blue Division for its first championship ever in the event.
This year’s USA Lacrosse Women’s National Tournament event was sponsored by Capelli Sport, First Scout Productions, Gait Lacrosse, Go Live Sports (USA Lacrosse TV), Here We Flo, NCSA and Lacrosse Specialties.
Recaps of Sunday’s other championship games follow:
Blue Division
Idaho/Montana/Wyoming made its debut at the USA Lacrosse Women’s National Tournament in 2021 and the region showed its progress with a dominant run through the Blue Division. ID/MT/WY outscored its opponents 53-10 during pool play and then knocked off Southern Ohio 12-6 in the championship game. Kaitlyn Foster, a junior from Rimrock (Mont.) High School, had a hat trick in the championship game and was named the Blue Division’s Most Outstanding Player. Sevea O’Brien and Harlie Toolson each scored twice for ID/MT/WY as well. Caroline Gehring and Natalie Klaber led Southern Ohio with two goals each.
Green Division
A balanced effort that saw eight different players score goals led Massachusetts/Rhode Island 4 past North Texas 10-6 in the championship game. Mia Macropoulos and Emma Prouty each scored twice while Molly Campbell, a sophomore from Cohasset (Mass.) High School was named as the Most Outstanding Player in the tournament in the Green Division. Alexa Koerckel scored four times for North Texas.
Orange Division
Massachusetts/Rhode Island 2 pulled away from a close battle in the second half to defeat Connecticut 1 11-6 in the Orange Division final. The score was tied 4-4 in the third quarter, but three straight goals in the quarter helped MA/RI take command. Cecila Evans and Avery Regan each scored twice in the victory and Evans, a sophomore from Dexter Southfield (Mass.) School, was named as the Most Outstanding Player in the Orange Division. Ceceila Peary and Chase Powers both had two goals for Connecticut.
Yellow Division
An early morning start did nothing to slow the Massachusetts/Rhode Island 3 offense as they knocked off South Carolina 18-8. Ellie Bracken led the barrage with four goals and three assists and Vivian Houston added a hat trick. Jessie Heller, a sophomore from Wellesley (Mass.) High School was named as the Yellow Division’s Most Outstanding Player. Evers Morris led South Carolina with three goals and Lily Sundell added two.
Sunday’s Championship Games
Blue Division: Idaho/Montana/Wyoming def. Southern Ohio, 12-6
Green Division: Massachusetts/Rhode Island 4 def. North Texas, 10-6
Orange Division: Massachusetts/Rhode Island 2 def. Connecticut 1, 11-6
Red Division: Massachusetts/Rhode Island 1 def. Washington, 11-1
Yellow Division: Massachusetts/Rhode Island 3 def. South Carolina, 18-8
