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
MIDWEST
Grace Curry, New Trier (Ill.); Maddy Paz, New Albany (Ohio); and Mariah Ross, Guerin Catholic (Ind.)
Curry, Paz and Ross lived a scene out of a movie, each scoring a dramatic game-winning goal to capture a state championship. Paz, a New Albany sophomore, scored her game-winner off a free-position opportunity with 2:14 remaining in overtime to topple undefeated Upper Arlington (Ohio). That marked the sophomore's fourth goal of the game.
Curry, a New Trier senior, scored her second goal of the game with 1:22 left in overtime to give the Trevians a 12-11 victory over Hinsdale Central (Ill.) and their second state title in the past three seasons. Curry finished the season with 80 points, including four goals apiece against Rockford (Mich.) and the University School of Milwaukee (Wisc.).
Ross, a Guerin Catholic senior, broke a tie with 43.5 seconds left in regulation for a 7-6 win over Carmel (Ind.) to capture a state championship and seal an undefeated season for the Golden Eagles.
Also notable: Elle Busby, Edina (Minn.); Camryn Callaghan, Upper Arlington (Ohio); Annette Ciupek, Hinsdale Central (Ill.); Abby Cole, New Albany (Ohio); Lauren Pallotta, Jackson (Ohio); Caroline Potteiger, East Grand Rapids (Mich.); Brooke Ross, New Trier (Ill.); Nicola Santoni, Edina (Minn.)
— Jonah Rosenblum
WEST
Sydney Partovi, Jesuit Portland (Ore.)
The junior goalkeeper sealed a 12-11 win over Lake Oswego (Ore.) in the Oregon state final when she made a clutch save on a free possession shot in the final minutes. Partovi was named the Player of the Game. Lake Oswego had cut a four-goal deficit to one. Partovi anchored the state’s best defense, which allowed an average of 4.06 goals per game.
Also notable: Piper Daskalos, Jesuit Portland (Ore.); Kiana Santiago, Jesuit Portland (Ore.)
— Laurel Pfahler