Anna Von Kennel Named High School Girls' Northeast Player of the Year

There are pressures and expectations when you put on a Darien jersey and try to live up to a remarkable tradition of excellence.

Anna Von Kennel not only dealt with that pressure, but the Florida-bound senior thrived in it time and time again.

The five-star midfielder was the catalyst for the Blue Wave in a second undefeated season in four years, which culminated with a 22nd state championship in school history following a 13-4 win over rival New Canaan (Conn.). In just about every big moment, Von Kennel seemed to play a role.

That includes a backdoor pass to Quin Chandler, who scored the double-overtime winner over St. Anthony’s (N.Y.) that snapped the Friars’ 50-game winning streak back in Darien’s second game of the year.

And as a junior, Von Kennel scored the winner in a 6-5 victory over New Canaan in the CIAC Class LL championship game.

“Anna is a dynamic player who has insane speed and quickness,” legendary Darien coach Lisa Lindley said. “She is relentless between the 30s and takes over games on the offensive end with her dodging and finishing ability. Anna is coachable, composed under pressure, always works hard, and brings out the best in her teammates.”

The numbers that Von Kennel, a two-time USA Lacrosse All-American, put up this season speak to her impact in all phases. She had 47 goals and 22 assists, scooped 29 ground balls and had 17 caused turnovers to go along with 56 draw controls.

Von Kennel is the USA Lacrosse High School Girls' Northeast Region Player and Midfielder of the Year.

Ranked No. 10 in the Class of 2026 by Inside Lacrosse, the two-way midfielder was also selected to compete in the New Balance All-American game. Before the season, she was awarded the Blue Wave’s No. 85 jersey, which honors Jon Schoen, a former star athlete at Darien, who had two daughters play for the lacrosse team.

Schoen, who died of cancer in 2017 at 56, wore that number while playing football at Boston College.

Lindley remembers when she first saw Von Kennel on the lacrosse field, watching a raw fifth grader with incredible speed.

And now Von Kennel is one of the best players in the country, drawing perhaps the ultimate comparison from Lindley as she’s set to embark on her Division I career.

“She and Chloe [Humphrey] have a lot of similarities in terms of being unselfish and making their teammates play to a higher level,” Lindley said.

— Dylan Butler

Girls’ All-Northeast Team

Attacker of the Year: Corey Kumin, Jr., Noble & Greenough (Mass.)

A five-star junior committed to North Carolina, Kumin helped lead Nobles to a fifth consecutive ISL championship. “The ultimate playmaker,” according to Nobles coach Laura Callahan, the USA Lacrosse All-American had 39 goals and 55 assists this season to go along with six ground balls and nine caused turnovers. Heading into her senior season, Kumin has 72 goals and 75 assists in her Nobles career. A modest superstar, Kumin was voted captain next year by her teammates.

Midfielder of the Year: Anna Von Kennel, Sr., Darien (Conn.)

See above.

Defender of the Year: Sophia Novelli, Sr., St. Anthony’s (N.Y.)

Novelli was the backbone of a St. Anthony’s defense that only gave up 5.6 goals per game. The Vanderbilt-bound senior, a two-year starter and four-year varsity player, combined elite athleticism, strength and high lacrosse IQ to shut down the opponent’s top offensive threat. The USA Lacrosse All-American scored two goals, scooped up 32 ground balls, had 17 caused turnovers and 52 draw controls to help lead the Friars to a seventh straight NSCHSAA title.

Goalie of the Year: Macyn Callahan, Jr., New Canaan (Conn.)

On a young New Canaan team, Callahan was the rock. The junior was grace under fire, making 148 saves and averaging eight saves per game. A quick, athletic goalie, Callahan makes the saves others cannot. Committed to Notre Dame, the USA Lacrosse All-American made eight saves in a 9-8 win over Wilton in the CIAC Class LL semifinals as the Rams booked their spot in the state final for a fifth straight season.

Specialist of the Year: Sophia Buffardi, Sr., Sayville (N.Y.)

The two-time USA Lacrosse All-American was a driving force in Sayville’s second undefeated championship season in three years, helping lead the Golden Flashes to the New York State Class C title. The North Carolina commit, ranked No. 4 in the Class of 2026 by Inside Lacrosse, was a force on both sides of the ball with elite vision and tenacity. Buffardi had 58 goals, 19 assists, 40 ground balls, 26 caused turnovers and 134 draw controls.

Northeast Girls’ Top 10

1. Darien (Conn.), 22-0

It was another banner season for Darien, which went undefeated for the second time in four years and captured a 22nd state championship in school history, defeating rival New Canaan (Conn.), 13-4, to claim the CIAC Class LL crown. A strong senior class proved critical for the Blue Wave, and it was Anna Von Kennel (Florida), who was selected for the New Balance All-American games, Cam Pokorny (Virginia) and Morgan Hite (Cornell) leading the charge. Considering Adriana Gromelski (Yale), Faye Bepler (Colgate) and Quin Chandler (Harvard) are among the returning players, it’s safe to say Darien’s isn’t going away any time soon. Previous: 1

2. St. Anthony's (N.Y.), 18-1

The Friars rebounded from their first loss since 2023 to win their final 15 games and capture a seventh straight NSCHSAA championship. The dynamic duo of Emma Speed (Florida) and Anna Christie (Notre Dame) was special and tough to replace, and Sophia Novelli (Vanderbilt) was one of the best defenders around. Fabiana Gallagher and Addison Fox will have elevated roles next year, along with rising sophomores Sophia Enea and Payton Ioannou. Previous: 2

3. Sayville (N.Y.), 21-0

What a magical year for the Golden Flashes, who capped a second undefeated championship in three years with a 15-7 win over Jamesville-DeWitt (N.Y.) in the NYS Class C final. They wave goodbye to Carly Cangelosi (Rutgers), Morgan Farrell (Johns Hopkins), Olivia DeSimone (Florida State), Jenna Messina (Coastal Carolina) and Sophia Buffardi (North Carolina), who combined for 158 goals and 206 draw controls. It helps to return Dylan McNamara (Florida State) and Olivia Razzano (UMass). Previous: 3

4. Sacred Heart Greenwich (Conn.), 12-6

Sacred Heart Greenwich defeated Dexter Southfield (Mass.) 12-7 to make it three Prep Cup titles in four years. While defenders Torin Witek (Syracuse), Mackenna Kelly (Richmond) and Casey Smith (Boston College) and All-American midfielder Georgia Lillis (Stanford) are set to compete for Division I minutes, All-American midfielder Haley Washall (Penn State), Maggie Sweeney (Rutgers) and Addison Callaway (Richmond) along Peyla Carcaterra, another All-American selection, and Ella Bacalloa, two of the top players in the Class of 2028, will have the Tigers again as one of the nation’s elite next year. Previous: 4

5. Noble & Greenough (Mass.), 20-2

Nobles made it five consecutive ISL championships, defeating Governor’s (Mass.), 15-7, in the title game. The juggernaut will no doubt miss All-American Ava Newman (Notre Dame), who was named to the New Balance All-American games, as well as Bea Trinque (Richmond), who was named ISL Defensive Player of the Year. Leading the returning players are Presley Upton (Princeton) and All-American Corey Kumin (North Carolina), who were both named to All-ISL. Previous: 5

6. Phillips Andover (Mass.), 18-1

The Big Blue’s attempt to repeat as Prep Cup champions ended with a loss to Dexter Southfield (Mass.) in the semifinals. Defender Quiana Ball (Middlebury), who was named All-NEPSAC, and attacker Charlotte Dorman (Holy Cross) were integral to the success. Among the key returners are rising junior Emma Morrison, who was also selected All-NEPSAC, as well as Autumn Christian (Holy Cross) and Gracynn Hartley (Wofford). Previous: 6

7. Huntington (N.Y.), 20-2

It was a banner season for Huntington, which defeated Penfield (N.Y.), 9-6, to capture a first NYS Class A title in school history. Jolie Weinschreider, who had 55 goals and 25 assists, is heading to Rutgers, Valentina Puccio, who had 65 goals and 18 assists, will play at Hofstra, and Grace Gordon (Lafayette), who chipped in 67 points, was also a key cog in a historic season. Rising juniors Olivia Puccio, who had 48 goals and 24 assists, and Juliet Johnson, who made 140 saves, will anchor the title defense. Previous: 7

8. Victor (N.Y.), 19-4

The Blue Devils proved doubters wrong by winning a fifth straight NYS Class B title, defeating Garden City (N.Y.), 13-5, in the final. Making it more impressive was that Victor did it without superstar Allie Pisano (Boston College), who missed the season due to injury. It was a collective effort for Victor, with Princeton commit Camryn Adrid pacing the attack with 64 goals and nine assists and McKenna Anderson (Arizona State) adding 60 goals and eight assists. Carlina DiFondi (Syracuse) added 22 goals, 11 assists, 62 draw controls, 42 groundballs, and 37 caused turnovers. Previous: 8

9. Cold Spring Harbor (N.Y.), 16-5

The names might have changed, but the result didn’t for Cold Spring Harbor, which rallied from a two-goal deficit at halftime to defeat Penn Yan (N.Y.), 11-8, to win the NYS Class D title for a third consecutive season. Kaitlin Millett exploded in the postseason, scoring 12 of her 25 goals on the season in elimination games. Hannah Sliwak had 46 goals and five assists, and Olivia Mulada (Syracuse) had 61 goals and 37 assists, while Audrey Davidian (Columbia) made 171 saves. All return for the Seahawks next season. Previous: 9

10. Garden City (N.Y.), 19-3

The Trojans, who were among the nation’s elite teams throughout the season, lost to Victor in the NYS Class B final for the third time in the last four years. Kim Colucci (William & Mary), Averie Smith (Yale), Ashley Clark (Harvard), Regan Backer (Virginia) and Kate Scuderi (James Madison) lead a group of 13 Division I-bound seniors. Cornell commit Grace Brantuk, who had 25 goals and seven assists, including two of her team’s five goals in the state final, paces the returnees.