Cepiel, Nash, Vu, Saylor, Armstrong Named USA Lacrosse High School Boys' Players of the Week

USA Lacrosse recognizes the most outstanding individual performances in high school boys’ and girls' lacrosse in each region we cover. Coaches and others can submit athletes for consideration using our online form. Click here to enter your nomination.

Honorees are selected by USA Lacrosse Magazine staff and contributors and published each Wednesday on the USA Lacrosse Magazine website (usalacrosse.com/magazine) as well as our social media channels (@USALMAG).

NORTHEAST

Griffin Cepiel, Deerfield (Mass.)

For the first time in Chip Davis’ three years as head coach, Deerfield has started the season 2-0, and Griffin Cepiel is a big reason why.

In a marquee matchup against Brunswick (Conn.) on Saturday that was tied 3-3 after one quarter and 5-5 at halftime, the Bruins went on a run to take an 8-6 lead into the final quarter.

The Big Green, though, closed out the game strong with a 3-0 fourth quarter capped by Cepiel’s winner. The Georgetown-bound senior took a feed from Cooper Brozek (Harvard) and fired home the decisive goal with 28 seconds left to secure a dramatic 9-8 victory.

Also notable: Charlie Cacciabaudo, St. Anthony’s (N.Y.); James DeBusschere, Garden City (N.Y.); Hayden Goozh, Loomis Chaffee (Conn.); Ryan McCarthy, St. John’s Prep (Mass.); Jayden Walters, Tabor (Mass.); Carsen Winters, Mamaroneck (N.Y.)

— Dylan Butler 

MID-ATLANTIC

Keegan Nash, Episcopal (Pa.)

Nash has helped the Churchmen get off to a fast start. In their biggest game to date, the senior midfielder scored five goals as Episcopal upended then top-ranked Lawrenceville (N.J.) 10-9. He followed that performance with two goals as Episcopal stayed unbeaten at 6-0 with an 8-5 win over St. Augustine (N.J.). Nash is headed to Rutgers next year.

Also notable: Chris Burnetta, Haverford School (Pa.); Jackson Gillis, Haverford School (Pa.); Wyatt Hicks, Broadneck (Md.); William Kelly, Boys’ Latin (Md.); Chase Krukiel, Severn (Md.); Dylan Maloney, Urbana (Md.); Dom Markovich, Severna Park (Md.); Thomas Ploszay, Malvern (Pa.); Jake Sturtevant, Lawrenceville (N.J.); Jack Williams, Calvert Hall (Md.)

— Justin Feil 

SOUTH

Baylor Vu, Ponte Vedra (Fla.)

Nearly pulling off the upset, Ponte Vedra took Florida’s top team St. Andrew’s to overtime, largely due to Baylor Vu’s performance. The senior attacker scored seven goals in the 14-13 loss. Then against Roswell (Ga.), he scored four goals, helping the Sharks hand Roswell its first loss of the year.

Also notable: James Finch, St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.); Jack Jolly, Aubrey Rogers (Fla.); Nick Testa, St. Andrew’s (Fla.)

— Justin Boggs 

MIDWEST

Henry Saylor, Shawnee Mission East (Kan.)

Saylor was a huge part of a 2025 Lancers team that went 9-3, capped by a Lacrosse Association of Kansas City title. He led Mission East in goals (29) and was also among the team’s best in assists (10) and points (39). He’s off to a similar start to 2026, scoring four goals apiece against Olathe East (Kan.) and Waukee, last year’s Nebraska state champion, on just 14 combined shots.

Also notable: Griffin Brownfield, Blue Valley Southwest (Kan.); Sam Carpenter, St. Xavier (Ohio); Steele Crissman, MICDS (Mo.); James Janowicz, Upper Arlington (Ohio); Teddy Long, Shawnee Mission East (Kan.); Declan Ryan, Worthington Kilbourne (Ohio); Luke Shrift, Carmel (Ind.); Ike Stitle, Carmel (Ind.)

— Jonah Rosenblum 

WEST

Tate Armstrong, Brophy (Ariz.)

Tate Armstrong had a standout week in Brophy’s 2–0 stretch, helping power a dominant offensive showing. Across the two wins, Armstrong totaled 11 goals and 6 assists, displaying both elite scoring ability and strong playmaking. He led the way with an explosive eight-goal, three-assist performance against Arcadia (Ariz.) and followed it up with three goals and three assists against Higley (Ariz.). A key contributor for a Brophy team whose only losses have come against regionally ranked No. 7 Torrey Pines and No. 10 Mater Dei, Armstrong continues to be a driving force in the Broncos’ high-powered offense.

Also notable: Kamden McHugh, Mater Dei Santa Ana (Calif.); Wyatt Petau, Valor (Colo.); Hayden Ridley, Timberline (Idaho); Fletcher Scudder, Timberline (Idaho)

— Sonorah Hunter