High School Girls' Players of the Week: Bragg, Beam, Bird Deliver Titles

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

Jadyn Stadler, Syosset (N.Y.)

With a berth in the Nassau Class A title game on the line, Jadyn Stadler made sure Syosset’s
ticket would be punched.

The Vanderbilt-bound junior had one goal and five assists to lead third-seeded Syosset to a 9-8
win over second-seeded Farmingdale (N.Y.). Stadler also had six points in a 19-10 quarterfinal
win over Hicksville (N.Y.). She has 37 goals and 44 assists this season.

“Jadyn is a true competitor who always rises to the occasion in big moments. Her ability to see
the field and thread passes through tight lanes, while also being a dangerous dodging threat,
makes her a really special player,” Syosset coach Jen Graham said. “We’re incredibly proud of
the season she continues to put together."

Also notable: Camryn Adrid, Victor (N.Y.); Abigial Dieumegard, Islip (N.Y.); Ashley Dimnaku, Phillips Andover (Mass.); Natalie Insinga, Connetquot (N.Y.); Kaeleigh Larkin, Nanuet (N.Y.); Emily Nevermann, Pawling (N.Y.) 

— Dylan Butler 

MID-ATLANTIC

Maria Bragg, Severna Park (Md.)

Back in early April, Severna Park dropped four straight games, a rare losing streak for the Falcons, and one those losses came at the hands of Marriotts Ridge (Md.). Marriotts Ridge had also upset Severna Park in last year’s Class 3A state championship by a goal, so there was plenty of motivation when Severna Park got another shot at them in this year’s title tilt. 

The Falcons just needed to make the plays this time, and more often than not, it was Bragg who came through. Three times when Marriotts Ridge took a lead, the senior midfielder had the answer to tie the score. An all-around player, she also came up huge on draw controls and focused her defensive instincts onto Marriott Ridge’s top threat. 

Bragg played every minute of the game and finished with four goals and an assist as the Falcons reclaimed the state championship with a 9-8 victory to end their season atop the state. Bragg’s last season ended with her amassing 45 goals and 27 assists, 34 caused turnovers, 43 ground balls and 105 draw controls. She will continue her career at Florida. 

Also notable: Kelsey Begin, Severna Park (Md.); Rylee Boyd, Avon Grove (Pa.); Julia Cowgill, Conestoga (Pa.); Lucy Fahrney, Hempfield (Pa.); Taylor Fique, Manchester Valley (Md.); Ellie Kaplan, Twin Valley (Pa.); Maeve Magarity, Penn Charter (Pa.); Alexis Marizzacco, Villa Maria Academy (Pa.); Addison Meyer, Manchester Valley (Md.); Mak Myers, Penn Charter (Pa.); Olivia Parker, Fallston (Md.); Rylee Rath, Pleasant Valley (Pa.); Regan Taylor, Manheim Township (Pa.)

— Justin Feil 

SOUTH

Scarlett Gilner, Chapel Hill (N.C.)

Scarlett Gilner continues to post incredible scoring numbers for Chapel Hill. Against Page (N.C.), the senior midfielder had a three-goal, three-assist effort to advance to the state semifinals. In the final four against Marvin Ridge (N.C.), she had a pair of goals, bringing her total to 141 for the season. She has committed to Elon next year.

Also notable: Jane Bailey, Cardinal Gibbons (N.C.); Grace Webb, Weddington (N.C.)

— Justin Boggs 

MIDWEST

Ellie Beam, Kentucky Country Day (Ky.)

When Beam was a freshman, Kentucky Country Day fell to Sacred Heart Academy in the state title game. Amazingly, Beam’s Bearcats haven’t lost an in-state game in the three years since. Beam guided Country Day to its third straight title with five goals and an assist in its 13-9 title game win over Sacred Heart. She also had a whopping eight caused turnovers, seven draw controls and five ground balls, leading the Bearcats in nearly every statistical category. She thus finished her senior season with 122 goals, 58 assists, 180 points, 138 draw controls, 81 ground balls and 78 caused turnovers, all career highs.

Also notable: Olivia Autry, Kentucky Country Day (Ky.); Taylor Denning, Turpin (Ohio); Molly Dwyer, Loyola Academy (Ill.); Jackie Mabry, Carmel (Ind.); Riley Nolan, New Trier (Ill.); Lilly Palm, Minnetonka (Minn.); Lilly Selander, Cretin-Durham Hall (Minn.); Ella Smith, Upper Arlington (Ohio); Dillon Wiles, Upper Arlington (Ohio)

— Jonah Rosenblum 

WEST

Maggie Bird, Riverton (Utah)

Head coach Hannah Kelleher’s Riverton program had been knocking on the door. They reached the state semifinals a year ago but just hadn’t gotten over the hump. Maggie Bird made sure that happened to cap her senior season. 

Bird scored a hat trick, snared four ground balls, caused six turnovers and had three draw controls to lead the Silverwolves to their first 6A state championship. Her goal with 34 seconds left in overtime gave Riverton an 8-7 win over top-seeded Skyridge (Utah). Riverton trailed 6-3 at halftime before rallying. Bird also had the tying goal to force overtime. 

One of 11 Utah All-Americans, she had four goals and one assist in a 12-11 semifinal win over Mountain Ridge (Utah). She had 42 goals and 46 assists this season. She will attend Grand Valley State next year.

Also notable: Coco Crawford, Park City (Utah); Ella Criddle, Bear River (Utah); Lanie Knight, Jesuit Portland (Ore.); Isabel Simonen, Riverton (Utah); Natalia Szwajkun, Park City (Utah)

— Sonorah Hunter