Following an awesome spring for the local girls lacrosse teams, several of the athletes have received sectional awards and some earned All-American recognition, as those accolades continue to pour in. That’s to be expected, of course, after two Section 1 teams finished in the national top 25 rankings and four reached the state semifinals.
Behind that will be the Journal News/lohud All-Stars, which we’ll release soon. But, with an argument to me made for a handful of stars who shined brightest, we’re having a readers’ choice poll for the lohud Girls Lacrosse Player of the Year, presented by White Plains Hospital.
This poll will not determine which athletes are eventually named our Westchester/Putnam and Rockland County Players of the Year, but the poll winner will be recognized in our All-Star segment. It’s also an opportunity for our readers to share their opinions on who had the most impressive season.
The poll is open until June 27 at 3 p.m. Read below about the candidates and place your votes.
Lucy Bevilacqua, Mamaroneck
She earned USA Lacrosse All-American recognition after a remarkable junior season in which she led Mamaroneck through a challenging schedule and eventually to the Section 1 Class A semifinals. The midfielder has outstanding speed, stick skills and improvisational talent, which enabled her to thrive in transition and as a slick-passing dual-threat offensive weapon. The Penn State commit had 71 goals and 74 draw controls for the Tigers, who made considerable strides.
Faith Brown, Pleasantville
The UPenn commit has led Pleasantville the last two seasons into uncharted territory, reaching the Class D regional final last spring and then advancing to the state semifinals for the first time earlier in June. Despite battling a hamstring injury, Brown consistently impacted games on both ends and is a leader by example. She had 99 draw controls and scored 66 goals, including setting the school record for career points – girls and boys.
Lily Diaz, Yorktown
Described by coach Heather Raniolo as “the heart of our team,” Diaz is a Jacqueline-of-all-trades who impacts games in all facets and on all areas of the field. With her speed and smarts, the midfielder is a disruptive defender who pressures the ball and often creates chaos for the offense, in addition to being a nightmare matchup in transition and a capable scorer and facilitator. The USA Lacrosse All-American had 44 goals, 29 assists, 59 groundballs, 42 caused turnovers and 79 draw controls, including the 200th of her career, while leading the Huskers to the Section 1 Class B final.
Michaela Fay, Suffern
The Maryland commit earned All-American honors for the second time after leading a relatively young team to the Class A state semifinal for a fifth consecutive season. The midfielder was a foundational piece for a program that, through multiple rebuilds, has held firm to its position among the elite in this area. Fay was a major contributor on the draw circle and an offensive catalyst, using her quickness and deft dodge moves to weave through defenses and create for teammates or set herself up for high-percentage shots. The senior was lohud’s Rockland County Player of the Year the previous two seasons.
Ella Gould, Nyack
The Michigan-bound senior completed a sterling high school career by vaulting herself up some all-time lists while helping the RedHawks reach the state semifinal for the first time since 2010. Gould was a playmaking midfielder who orchestrated a dominant offense that often shifted momentum in a blink. She scored 59 goals and her 74 assists set a single-season record in Section 1. Her 216 career assists were second most in sectional history, and she received All-America honors for a second time.
Arden Keough, Pelham
Known for intensity and high-energy style, Keough was a leader in words and action, leading the Pelicans to their first Section 1 final. The Lafayette-bound midfielder “took command all over the field,” coach Kaleigh Howe said. Keough had 56 goals, 26 assists, 34 groundballs, forced 11 turnovers and won 84 draw controls, earning All-Section 1 honors and being named a USA Lacrosse Academic All-American.
Beau Whaling, Rye
The senior attack was consistently excellent, leading an explosive offense that helped power the Garnets through a difficult schedule and to the Class C state semifinals. The Duke commit was dominant on the draw, savvy and instinctive in reading defenses, then she utilized her athleticism to create space and finish. Whaling shined in the playoffs, leading Rye to its second regional title in three seasons, and she was named a USA Lacrosse All-American.
Stephen Haynes covers sports for The Journal News/lohud.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Girls lacrosse readers choice vote, presented by White Plains Hospital
Reporting by Stephen Haynes, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
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By Stephen Haynes, Rockland/Westchester Journal News | USA TODAY Network
