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. Games are considered from the previous Monday through Sunday.

NORTHEAST

Jordan Kauftheil, John Jay-Cross River (N.Y.)

Without injured star midfielder Jojo Degl, John Jay-Cross River (N.Y.) needed others to step up against Minisink Valley (N.Y.). Jordan Kauftheil got the memo. The junior scored a career-high eight goals in a 16-7 victory over the defending Section IX Class B champs, a big win that came off the heels of a two-goal loss to Yorktown (N.Y.). Kauftheil, who is primarily a defender but moved to midfield this season, now has 37 goals, three assists, 13 caused turnovers and 40 draw controls for the season.

“Jordan is a relentless player who has a very high lacrosse IQ,” John Jay-Cross River head coach Jess McDonough said. “She understands how to create on offense and as a defender, she constantly brings her calm composure while anticipating the attackers’ next move. She brings energy every day.”

Also notable: Tori Balser, Noble & Greenough (Mass.); Tess Calabria, St. Anthony’s (N.Y.); Reese King, Westhampton (N.Y.); Addie Pattillo, Wilton (Conn.); Lexi Tully, New Canaan (Conn.)

— Dylan Butler

MID-ATLANTIC

Ellie Wisch, Conestoga (Pa.)

Wisch closed her week with four goals and 11 draw controls in a 9-7 Conestoga win over an Archbishop Carroll (Pa.) that had lost just once. Wisch finished the 3-0 week with 10 goals, 19 draw controls and a caused turnover as Conestoga improved to 14-2 with their 14th straight win.

Wisch, a Penn State commit, has been a key player for four years for the team. She scored 57 goals as a freshman, a feat she duplicated last year again. And in between, she helped the team win a state championship in 2022.

Also notable: Sienna Chirieleison, Trinity (Pa.); Mairyn Dwyer, Agnes Irwin (Pa.); Elena Emde, Dulaney (Md.); Taylor Fique, Manchester Valley (Md.); Gabby Greene, Archbishop Spalding (Md.); Erin Hussey, Severna Park (Md.); Kate Levy, McDonogh (Md.); Emma Mohn, Maryvale (Md.); Sienna Perryman, Winters Mill (Md.); Sydney Richter, Episcopal (Pa.), Grace Walter, Penn Charter (Pa.)

— Justin Feil

SOUTH

Mckenzey Craig, Plant (Fla.)

The Johns Hopkins recruit has her squad two games away from a state title. In last week’s regional semifinal against Riverview Sarasota (Fla.), the junior midfielder had four goals and five assists. She then turned in a seven-goal, four-assist effort in Plant’s regional final victory over Manatee (Fla.). She has 59 goals and 54 assists this season.

Also notable: Emily Barnette, Bartram Trail (Fla.); Audrey Thompson, Anderson (Texas)

— Justin Boggs

MIDWEST

Mia Maxwell, Edina (Minn.)

There’s helping your teammates and then there’s what Mia Maxwell did. The senior attacker had a whopping 12 assists in her team’s 17-6 victory over Wayzata (Minn.). That’s right, Maxwell had an assist on over two-thirds of her team’s goals. Maxwell also had three goals and three assists in a win over St. Michael (Minn.).

Also notable: Emma Burke, Loyola Academy (Ill.); Mia Darr, University School of Milwaukee (Wisc.); Sophie Mock, Carmel (Ind.); Sivanna O’Brien, Lakeville South (Minn.); Maddy Paz, New Albany (Ohio); Madeline Pohmer, Olentangy Liberty (Ohio); Claire Ratke, New Trier (Ill.); Logan Snyder, New Albany (Ohio); Ava Stummer, Upper Arlington (Ohio)

— Jonah Rosenblum

WEST

Annika Tanner, Oak Ridge (Calif.)

Junior middie Tanner (Louisville) was an essential key in the midfield throughout Oak Ridge’s run in the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Girls Lacrosse Playoffs. She netted eight goals, had three assists and six draw controls during the tournament.

Also notable: Rocquette Allen, ThunderRidge (Colo.); Alexa May, Colorado Academy (Colo.); Lucy Michaels, Fairview (Colo.); Claire Murphy, Kent Denver (Colo.); Amanda Stevens, Valor Christian (Colo.); Sofia Williams, Oak Ridge (Calif.)

— Theresa Palmquist