New Balance All-America Senior Game Turns Out Rare Defensive Showcase

TOWSON, Md. — The North continued to reign over the New Balance All-America Lacrosse Senior Game, defeating the South 12-8 in the girls’ showcase Saturday night at Johnny Unitas Stadium.

Five players posted at least two points and nine different players scored, as the North won for the sixth time in the past seven editions of the event and improved to 14-6 in the series.

“It’s so special and so important playing with so many talented players here,” said Florida-bound attacker Emma Speed, who registered a goal and an assist for the North squad. “I’ve always dreamed of playing on a team like this. I’d always come watch this game every year, and it’s such an honor to be playing it with all my best friends.”

Speed was one of eight Gators signees on the Towson turf, the most of any program. 2026 NCAA finalist North Carolina closely followed with seven incoming Tar Heels competing Saturday night.

“I’ve grown so much closer to them even going to events like this with all of them, too,” Speed said. “It’s so special, and I’m so excited about it. We go to school soon, and we’re all really excited about it. So, I’m really grateful to have met them and to be going to school with them.”

South standout Isabel Insley, who will enroll at Princeton in the fall, led all scorers with four points. Playing before a hometown crowd, the Roland Park (Md.) alum buried all three of her shots, including a slick first-quarter finish off a spin.

Insley scored three of her points in the second half as the South outscored the North 5-3 in the game’s later stages. She said her team took the halftime break to reset after falling behind 9-3 in the opening 24 minutes.

“Our main focus was energy,” Insley said. “Our energy was down, and we realized there’s only one more half of playing in this awesome game. [We] just wanted to make the most of it and bring the energy. So, [we did] more celebrations, more team plays and just celebrated the little things.”

While the matchup featured the high school ranks’ premier attacking threats, it soon shifted into an elite defensive showcase. It was the lowest-scoring total in the event’s 21-year history, tying the record set in 2021.

Boston College-bound goalie Maeve Magarity captured MVP honors after posting five first-half saves on a 62.5% save percentage. Magarity is the first netminder to be named MVP in the game’s history.

On the other end, Penn State signee Reagan O’Donovan held the North scoreless during her first action in the third quarter and finished with eight saves on a 72.7% save percentage.

UNC signee Gaelle Jones said the North defensive unit forged a natural chemistry from the week’s onset.

“It’s the world of lacrosse,” said Jones, who recorded three caused turnovers and a ground ball in the win. “You get to know each other through all these different events, but we clicked right away. We were all communicating and trusted each other on defense, and we’re all such great individual players. But it means a lot when we’re able to come together and work as a team.”

The North defense wreaked havoc from the opening draw, forcing the South into 22 turnovers. Stony Brook signee Sabrina Asadurian spearheaded the effort with game highs in caused turnovers (five) and ground balls (six).

“Even though we only had a little time together, we bonded so quickly,” Asadurian said. “Our communication was awesome. Our slides were great, and we connected from the start. We’ve all played together before, so we all got together and came out with a win tonight.”

While Asadurian’s individual cheering section included her delighted future head coach in Joe Spallina, the Wantagh, N.Y., native said capping off her high school career in front of a bevy of young players proved a “full-circle moment.”

Asadurian hasn’t needed to look far for inspiration in her lacrosse career, with 2026 Tewaaraton Award winner Madison Taylor attending the same high school.

“I always looked up to the girls who played this game and now for me and my teammates to be in this game, too, just means the world to me,” Asadurian said. “It’s awesome, looking up to Maddy Taylor, too. I hope I inspire girls like she does. To be on this level, maybe the girls in the stands look up to me, too, which is really exciting.”

From the pregame pyrotechnics to the final buzzer, the game provided players with constant reminders of why they first picked up a stick.

“I truly can’t believe it,” Jones said. “You’re in these stands, and now I’m on the field. I’m so grateful. Every little girl dreams of this. You watch the older girls play and you’re like, ‘One day that could be me.’ And this is me. All these girls are incredible. It’s crazy that I’m even here. It’s honestly just a fever dream.”