Cup Clincher Carcaterra, Titlists Earn High School Girls' 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

Peyla Carcaterra, Sacred Heart Greenwich (Conn.)

While her father was on the mic, calling NCAA Division I quarterfinals from Hofstra and Delaware, Peyla Carcaterra was helping deliver another Prep Cup title for Sacred Heart Greenwich.

One of the best players, if not the best, in the Class of 2028, Carcaterra had 10 goals and six assists in three wins to end the season.

After two goals and an assist in a 15-7 win over Hotchkiss (Conn.), the attacker had four goals and three assists in a 17-12 Prep Cup semifinal win over Deerfield (Mass.), before four goals and two assists in a 12-7 victory over Dexter Southfield (Mass.) to clinch the Tigers’ third Prep Cup title in four years.

“As a young 2028, Peyla has been dominant against top competition. A complete attacker, she is dangerous with both hands as a dodger and feeder, while bringing unmatched energy and competitiveness every time she steps on the field,” Sacred Heart Greenwich coach Jackie Goldman said. “The future is bright for Peyla as she continues to establish herself as one of the top players in the country."

Also notable: Riley Cash, Northport (N.Y.); Juliet Johnson, Huntington (N.Y.); Blythe Leahy, Clarkstown North (N.Y.); Sydney Sateriale, Yorktown (N.Y.); Madison Sussi, St. Anthony’s (N.Y.); Presley Upton, Noble & Greenough (Mass.)

— Dylan Butler 

MID-ATLANTIC

Taylor Fique, Manchester Valley (Md.)

Manchester Valley has not been challenged late in many games this season. But with 11 minutes to go in the Class 2A state quarterfinals, the Mavericks were trailing a Glenelg High (Md.) team that had used a ball control approach to upend them in the state semifinals in 2023. That was the last time Manchester Valley lost. Fique made sure to extend the Mavericks' streak. The senior committed to Florida scored three of her game-high seven goals in the fourth quarter to help rally for an 11-8 win. Then, in the state semifinal against third-seeded Kent Island (Md.), she had six goals in a 19-8 win that enabled Manchester Valley to return to the state final scheduled for today against Centennial (Md.). 

Also notable: Maria Bragg, Severna Park (Md.); Siena Casale, Pingry (N.J.), Emma Cregan, Morristown (N.J.);  Caroline Cudzilo, Centennial (Md.); Mira Emany, Kent Place (N.J.); Peyton Furst, Chatham (N.J.); Brooke Hendrix, Liberty (Md.); Aspen Higgs, Westminster (Md.); Chloe Huang, Pingry (N.J.); Colby Johnson, Urbana (Md.); Sedona Kaplan, Marriotts Ridge (Md.); Keira McHugh, Academy of Notre Dame (Pa.); Mak Myers, Penn Charter (Pa.)

— Justin Feil 

SOUTH

Bryce Birkholz, West Forsyth (Ga.)

Bryce Birkholz capped off a dream season with a four-goal effort in West Forsyth’s state championship win over Lambert (Ga.). She had 106 goals this season, and had at least a hat trick in all but two games.

Also notable: Hannah Daley, Blessed Trinity (Ga.); Virginia Grey Sutton, Pinecrest (N.C.); Naomi Maurer, Keller (Texas); Kylie Waters, Milton (Ga.)

— Justin Boggs 

MIDWEST

Chloe Mangel, Loyola Academy (Ill.)

Notre Dame has to be excited watching the Fighting Irish commit play out her junior season for the Ramblers. This past week, Mangel had 15 draw controls apiece against in-state foes York (Ill.) and St. Ignatius (Ill.), putting her over 200 for the season. She has now tallied double-digit draw controls in 13 of Loyola’s 20 games this year. Not that she’s a one-trick pony, also notching two goals and four assists in the Ramblers’ emphatic victory over the Dukes, one of the top teams in the Land of Lincoln. That marked the sixth straight game in which Mangel recorded multiple goals, also doing so against top Michigan competition like Detroit Country Day and East Grand Rapids.

Also notable: Maddi Beaulieu, Prior Lake (Minn.); Etta Hofmann, Eastern (Ky.); Kylie Jones, Eastern (Ky.); Payton Kunitz, Hinsdale Central (Ill.); Izzie Maki, Kentucky Country Day (Ky.); Jordin Rosga, Cretin-Derham Hall (Minn.); Evie Ruma, Upper Arlington (Ohio); Harper Stemle, Kentucky Country Day (Ky.)

— Jonah Rosenblum 

WEST

Gia Bigelow, Valor Christian (Colo.)

Gia Bigelow earned Player of the Week honors after a dominant all-around performance in the state championship game. The junior standout led the way with two goals, three assists, 11 draw controls, two caused turnovers, and a ground ball, helping power her team to a 12-6 victory over Regis Jesuit (Colo.) and its second straight 5A state championship.

Her impact was felt on both ends of the field as she controlled possession, created scoring opportunities, and delivered key defensive plays in the title-clinching win. With another season still ahead of her, Bigelow will look to continue building on an already impressive career before eventually joining her sister at North Carolina.

Also notable: McKinnley Clarkson, Valor Christian (Colo.); Kat Dykes, Sacred Heart (Calif.); Maggie Goldstein, Sacred Heart (Calif.)

— Sonorah Hunter