Owen Duffy Named USA Lacrosse High School Boys' Player of the Year

Owen Duffy, a senior attackman at St. Anthony’s (N.Y.), was named the USA Lacrosse High School Boys’ Player of the Year, USA Lacrosse Magazine announced Thursday.

Duffy follows a long line of St. Anthony’s standouts, and he cemented his status among the Friars’ top players by leading his team to a third straight CHSAA title. Duffy posted a balanced line of 43 goals and 35 assists in 13 games.

What separates the North Carolina bound star from most, Friars head coach Keith Wieczorek said, is an unmatched drive that combines with tremendous athleticism and natural leadership.

“He has a really, really competitive chip where if you poke him or you try to shut him down, he’s going to respond with just more tenacity, and he’s just got this intangible grit where he’s not gonna let you define what he’s doing,” he said. “He’s gonna set his own terms and push.”

Duffy, who is naturally also the Northeast Boys’ Player of the Year, is joined by four others recognized as regional players of the year.

MID-ATLANTIC

AJ Marsh, D, McDonogh (Md.), Sr.

Marsh developed into the defensive leader that the defending MIAA A Conference champion McDonogh team needed to make the team more complete. He caused 20 turnovers, picked up 46 ground balls and grew into a new leadership role for a defense that allowed double-digit goals just three times. The Eagles went on to become just the third team to repeat as MIAA A champion in Marsh’s final season before heading to Navy.

SOUTH

Caden Harshbarger, M, Lake Mary (Fla.), Jr.

Harshbarger helped ensure that Lake Mary came away with the regional championship that had twice eluded it in his career. Now a junior, Harshbarger scored 42 goals and dished 19 assists while his underrated defensive efforts became integral in Lake Mary’s unbeaten season that ended with its first-ever state title.

MIDWEST

Marek Tzagournis, A, Dublin Jerome (Ohio), Sr.

Tzagournis finished off an incredible career with a career year. He posted 161 points on 77 goals and 84 assists. He had five goals to lead the Celtics to the state championship win and a 22-1 record. He heads to Denver after establishing a new state record with 447 career points.

WEST

Ethan Pearson, M, Mountain Vista (Colo.), Sr.

Pearson adjusted well to anything he saw from opposing defenses. He scored when he saw opportunities and created chances for others when defenses put more attention on him. The result was a balanced line of 49 goals and 30 assists that led Mountain Vista to the top of Class 5A for the second time in three years. Pearson will play for Towson next year.