Mid-Season All-American + New Additions, Game of the Week, Coaches Poll & Hill and Hill Game Recap
Girls: April 22 Issue
Hello, lacrosse fans! We’re halfway through the season already. Today we look over the All-American Watch list with new additions, Game of the Week: Riverton vs Mountain Ridge, Coaches poll and Hill and Hill game recap
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These student-athletes are being recognized for their commitment, influential drive and elite talents as they are the superior lacrosse players in the state of Utah. The All- American watch list does not guarantee or even suggest anything when it comes to All-American voting, it is merely a way for coaches and fans to gather information and evaluate players. The coaches will have the ultimate say at the end of the season as to who the All-Americans will be, but there have been additions to this list as the season progresses since the pre-season nominations, which are highlighted below. This list is unlike any other lists before.
All-American Athlete Additions
AUDREY SELFRIDGE (Judge Memorial) : Audrey Selfridge, donning the iconic jersey #18 in her senior year at Judge Memorial High School, is not just a captain, but a four-sport powerhouse, excelling in lacrosse, tennis, basketball, and volleyball. With an impressive lacrosse career stats sheet boasting 90 goals, 11 assists, 58 ground balls, and 102 draw controls, she's a force on the field. Head Coach Lexie Meanor praises Audrey explaining how she is “a solid player on both ends of the field. She averages 7 points per game with a shooting percentage of 75%. She leads the team in points, goals, ground balls and draw controls. She is an all around athlete that gives 100% effort every time she steps onto the field.” Ultimately, Audrey shows versatility and dedication, highlighting her knack for both scoring and defensive play, making her an invaluable asset to the team.
CAMREE KENISON (Lehi): In her senior year at Lehi High School, Camree Kenison (#9) dominates the field with a career packed with achievements, including 83 goals, 57 ground balls, 28 assists, 20 caused turnovers, and 53 draw controls; she's a true powerhouse. Head Coach Taylor "Siri" Sandstrom sings her praises, expressing how “Camree is leading our team with 31 goals so far this season. A lot of this is due to her speed, footwork, and ability to read the field. She is also very strong in the draw, she is one of our circle players and has 24 draw controls thus far. Her abilities compare with others on the watchlist and that is why I chose to add her.”
BRIELLE FABERT (Mountain Ridge): Brielle Fabert, the dynamic junior from Mountain Ridge High School rocking jersey #24 this year, is a force to be reckoned with on both defense and attack. Standing above the national average this season for caused turnovers and ground balls, she's making quite the impact for her team. With career stats including 11 goals, a whopping 61% shot percentage, 78 ground balls, and 65 caused turnovers, she's proving herself as a versatile player. Coach Angie Maughan showers Brielle with praise, “Brielle has been showing great leadership on our defensive end this season! Her ability to anticipate her opponents and ball movement makes her a tough competitor to beat. Brielle leads our team with 37 CTO’s and 30 gb’s so far this season which showcases her hunger for the ball and defensive skillset.”
BROOKE WARREN (Salem Hills): Meet Brooke Warren, the unstoppable force from Salem Hills High School, proudly sporting jersey #13 this year while playing on the varsity lacrosse team. As a junior center and three-year starter, Brooke doesn't just play, she dominates. Not only is she a junior captain for both lacrosse and basketball, but she also led her basketball team as the top scorer and rebounder last season. Coach Cliff Yerkes couldn't say enough, highlighting her impressive stats—like winning 70% of draws, leading in the state in goals with 27, assists, minutes, draw controls at 113, forced turnovers, and 59 grounders. This year, she has taken a step as a dominant player on the field for her team. Beyond her stellar performance on the field, Coach Yerkes explains how “Brooke is a strong and mature student, and is a great leader. She always puts winning ahead of personal stats. In addition, she has been a great mentor to new players and an ambassador to the sport recruiting friends to play for the first time. In addition to that, she endeared herself to her teammates through humility, dedication and unselfishness. She is happy to do whatever it takes to win, including making the right pass to the open teammate.” Whether she's scoring goals or recruiting new players to the sport, Brooke's dedication to winning and uplifting her teammates shines through in everything she does.
CECELIA WALTON (Viewmont): Say hello to Cecelia Walton, also known as CeCe, the sophomore sensation from Viewmont High School, proudly rocking jersey #33 on the field this season. As a midfield attacker, Cece’s stats speak for themselves: a career tally of 131 goals, 73% draw control, 19 assists, 163 ground balls, 189 draw controls and 41 caused turnovers…as a sophomore! Coach Lauren highlights her incredible leadership as a captain, performance on the field, and her impressive academic achievements. She continues to explain her decision to nominate Cece for the mid-season All-American Watch list due to her being “…well respected among teammates and rivals alike. She is currently leading the state in goals, averaging 7 goals per game with an almost 80% shot percentage. She also leads the state in draw percentage with the addition of the new max preps stat (draws won) and is ranked in almost every other statistical category as well. On top of all of that she is. 4.0 student and one of the kindest friends to all she meets!”
ANNE HOWARD (Waterford): Meet Anne Howard, the junior dynamo from Waterford High School, proudly sporting jersey #20 this season for the girls' lacrosse team. With career stats boasting 23 goals and 69 ground balls, Anne is leading the charge for the Waterford Ravens both in the midfield and attack. Head Coach Megan Whittle explains her thoughts in nominating Anne for the All-American watch list, particularly highlighting her prowess in draw controls and circle play. As one of the team captains, Anne has played a pivotal role in leading the team to an impressive 3-game win streak last week, proving that she's not just a standout player, but a true leader on and off the field.
MIA CHAO (Waterford): Being her junior year on the Waterford High School girls’ lacrosse team, Mia Chao leads the Ravens’ team statistically in the midfield and attack while holding the #15 jersey. From her 3 years on varsity, she holds an impressive career record of 170 goals, 15 assists, 71 ground balls, and 59 draw controls. Notably, she's a pro at finding the back of the goal on free position shots after fouls and has contributed to leading the team to a 3-game winning streak this past week.
SOPHIE CRISMON (Westlake): Senior Sophie Crismon (#34) from Westlake is a new addition to the Midseason All-American Watchlist Westlake. Coach Calli explains this decision due to Sophie being “a two-sport athlete, playing basketball in addition to lacrosse. She earned the all-state academic award for basketball, and is a high honor roll student. Sophie has the best work ethic I’ve ever encountered as a player or coach. She has settled into her role as a midfielder being a leader to our team in all aspects of the game. Sophie is committed, driven and highly talented. She is a fantastic player and person.”
Game of the Week: Riverton vs. Mountain Ridge
In the exciting world of lacrosse, each game tells a story of triumph and learning. One chilly Tuesday evening here in Utah, Riverton and Mountain Ridge faced off in an intense match that had fans glued to their seats. When the final buzzer sounded, Riverton came out on top with a 19-13 victory on their home field.
But there's more to this game than just numbers. It's a tale of perseverance and progress, as both teams showed their passion and strength.
Like a game of chess, every move matters, and Riverton played strategically. They dominated the field with a 67% control of the ball, making smart plays and working together as a team. Their rise to the top of the standings, now sitting at #1, proves their skill and determination.
Even though Mountain Ridge faced a loss, they showed true sportsmanship. With a 9-3 record, they proved their toughness. Their defense was strong, getting 39 ground balls and causing 16 turnovers.
Win or lose, what matters most is the journey. Both teams found comfort in their love for the game. Mountain Ridge summed it up well on Instagram: "Losing isn't fun, but it teaches us and helps us succeed."
In sports, setbacks are just part of the story. Great teams have stumbled before, only to come back stronger. Mountain Ridge will bounce back, just like others have before them.
As this chapter comes to a close, Riverton and Mountain Ridge take away important lessons. It's not just about winning; it's about growing, even when things get tough. With pride and determination, they'll keep moving forward, ready to make more memories on the field.
In the end, it's not just about the game itself. It's about the spirit of sportsmanship that connects athletes, no matter the outcome. Riverton and Mountain Ridge show us what it means to play with heart and respect for each other.
No. 1 Park City - Park City has risen to the top spot in this week’s coaches' poll under head coach Mikki Clayton, boasting an impressive 8-1 record to kick off week 8 of the season. Their dominance is reflected in the UHSAA 2024 girls’ lacrosse RPI (rating percentage index), where they hold a 0.74 RPI rating, ranking them No. 1 in the 5A standings. The RPI, or Rating Percentage Index, is a transparent statistical system used to rank sports teams by considering their wins, losses, and the strength of their schedule. Recently, they traveled to California where clinched two victories while on the road. In Concord, CA on Monday, the Miners defeated Carondelet 17-6 with Sophie Neff (#19) named game attack MVP due to her being “on fire with 8 goal against a very tough defense”, while Charlie (Chuck) Lacobelli (#6) as their “midfield and defense superstar with 4 goals, 3 GBs, 3 CTs, 5 draw controls, and big plays in the midfield”. On Tuesday, the Miners found their second victory against Campolindo (pictured below) with Maddie McHenry (#40) being named MVP due to her stepping up big to “dig out the win...she had 4 goals and 3 CTs”. Their next game awaits on Wednesday in a regional away game against Highland at 7:30 pm.
No. 2 Olympus - Despite moving down a spot in the weekly coaches' poll, Olympus holds a strong 8-1 record, placing them at No. 5 in the 5A rankings with a 0.67 RPI in the UHSAA 2024 girls lacrosse standings. Last week, these ladies had a three game winning streak, their first on Monday with a dominant 19-3 win over Wasatch, where Lily Nydegger (#18), a senior attacker, was awarded as the player of the game. Next on Wednesday, they had a convincing 17-6 triumph against Brighton under home lights, with standout defensive performance from senior Lily Arrowood (#9). Finally, to round out their week of wins, we can’t overlook their commanding 25-1 victory over West on Friday. Looking ahead, next on their schedule is a home non-region game against Skyridge, scheduled for 7pm today.
No. 3 Woods Cross - Woods Cross is on a winning streak, climbing up the ranks in the weekly coaches' poll under the guidance of head coach McKenzie Christiansen, with a flawless 10-0 record this season and claiming the third spot in the 5A rankings with a solid 0.70 RPI in the UHSAA 2024 girls lacrosse standings. Their recent away game versus Bonneville on Wednesday, found them a 19-11 victory, with senior Ella Mathews (#2) stealing the show as the MVP, notching up 5 goals and 2 assists. Coach Christiansen explains how “Ella shines as a true star, demonstrating relentless dedication to improving her draw control skills and expanding her role beyond scoring by growing her assists. Her leadership within the Wildcats team is exemplary, with many girls looking up to her as a role model.” The entire coaching staff is proud of the team's progress, especially with their focus on assists, seeing significant growth compared to last season. Closing out the week, the Wildcats triumphed 14-4 against Roy on Friday, where their aim isn't just to win games but to “make a significant impact, prioritizing the growth of their athletes by giving them chances to learn different positions and elevate their game to the next level”. Woods Cross remains eager to keep the winning streak alive in their next home game against Clearfield at 6 pm on Wednesday.
No. 4 Mountain Ridge - Mountain Ridge experienced a slight setback in this week’s coaches' poll down to position No. 4, despite their commendable 9-3 record, securing the top spot in the RPI 6A rankings with an impressive 0.75 RPI in the UHSAA 2024 girls’ lacrosse RPI (rating percentage index). In their recent game against Riverton last Tuesday, the Sentinels suffered a setback with a 19-13 loss, though senior Kylee Taylor (#19) stood out as MVP with 6 GBs and 2 CTs. However, they bounced back strong in their Thursday game against Herriman, securing a 14-5 win, with junior Kalli Guymon (#11) shining as team MVP, making 2 goals and 1 assist. Their next challenge awaits in an away regional game against Bingham tomorrow at 5:30 pm.
No. 5 Riverton - Riverton girls lacrosse is making waves, climbing the ranks in the weekly coaches' poll moving up a position under the guidance of head coach Joey Dorton, with a stellar 8-1 record. Additionally, the Riverton ladies are holding the third-place spot in the 6A UHSAA 2024 Girls Lacrosse rankings, boasting a cool 0.65 RPI in the UHSAA 2024 girls RPI lacrosse standings. Their recent clash against Mountain Ridge on Tuesday at home is where senior Kaitlyn Davenport (#13) led the charge with 6 goals and an impressive 67% draw control percentage in a 19-13 win. Next up, they played Corner Canyon on Thursday at home, where the Silverwolves snagged a 22-11 victory, with junior Grace Jenson (#14, pictured below) as the MVP, netting an impressive 7 goals while controlling the pace of their offense. With their next game looming in an away region game against Copper Hills tomorrow at 5:30 pm, Riverton is geared up to keep their winning streak alive.
No. 6 Bingham - Bingham girls lacrosse may have slipped a spot in the weekly coaches' poll, but they're still bringing the heat with a 7-4 record with head coach Courtney McCabe. Sitting at No. 6 in the 6A UHSAA 2024 rankings with a 0.61 RPI, they're proving to be a force to be reckoned with. The lady Miners had tough loss against Herriman (9-12) in their recent home game on Tuesday, they bounced back strong with a convincing 18-7 victory over Copper Hills on Thursday under away lights, led by senior Averie Caldwell (#4) on attack, who nabbed the MVP title with 3 goals. With a home region game against Mountain Ridge on the horizon tomorrow at 5:30 pm, Bingham is ready to rally and reclaim their winning streak.
No. 7 Fremont - Moving up to No. 7 in the weekly coaches' poll with a stellar 9-2 record, the Fremont lady laxers, guided by head coach Seth Jones, are sitting pretty at No. 2 in the UHSAA 6A rankings with a 0.65 RPI (rating percentage index). They're proving to be a force on the field. They secured a victory against Weber at home on Tuesday (15-5), with sophomore Kate Jenkins (#15) honored with the MVP title for her work on attack and in midfield. Coach Jones explains how they “ended the game with 11 of [their] 15 points being from assists which made for a super fun game to play and to watch…[they] learned that playing together as a team and really trying to improve the quality of team play makes for so much more fun lacrosse”. Rounding out the week on Thursday with a win against Syracuse (14-10), senior McKaylee Sargent (#33) went home with a game MVP honor, scoring 5 goals and making 1 assist. Again explain how team effort is the key to success, Coach Jones summarizes their game on Thursday by explaining “what we learned in this game was perseverance. We learned when things get frustrating and difficult, just take a breath, reset, refocus and go have fun.” Fremont is ready to continue their team comradery with a home game against Layton tomorrow at 5:15 pm.
No, 8 Brighton - Brighton girls lacrosse, led by head coach Melissa Nash, may have slipped a spot in the weekly coaches' poll, but they're still making their mark with a solid 6-3 record, ranked No. 7 in the 5A standings of UHSAA with a 0.59 RPI. The RPI, or Rating Percentage Index, is a transparent statistical system used to rank sports teams by considering their wins, losses, and the strength of their schedule. On Wednesday against Olympus, the Bengals took a 17-6 loss, but Coach Nash commended her team for their strong performance against a talented opponent, highlighting their teamwork and resilience. With a full team effort against Olympus, Brighton named standout performances from players Ayla Cole (#22) with 4 CTs, Avery Miller (#18) with 2 CTs, Sophie Nielsen (#20) with a hat trick, and Alex Heugly (#23) with 3 draw controls. Coach Nash summarizes the game by explaining how “Unfortunately, our senior captain and lead defender (Ayla Cole) had to leave the game early with a broken hand. I’m so proud of our Bengals for playing like a team all game!” They had a bounce-back victory against Alta on Friday, with a 17-10 win! Brighton is ready to bounce for their upcoming non-region home game against Northridge tonight at 7:30 pm.
No. 9 Farmington - Farmington girls lacrosse is riding high, moving up a position in this week’s coaches' poll, with a solid 8-3 record and Ranked No. 4 in the UHSAA 6A standings with a respectable 0.65 RPI. In an exciting home game against Syracuse on Tuesday, Farmington left with a 14-8 victory, earning sophomore attacker Kathleen Moffat (#4) the MVP title highlighting her impressive performance of 3 goals and 1 CT. Then, hitting the road for an away game against Layton on Thursday, the team continued their winning streak with a dominant 17-3 win, led by senior attacker Ruby Roche (#3), who snagged the MVP honors and impressive stats: 3 goals, 3 assists, and 1 CT. With their sights set on their upcoming away region game against Davis tomorrow at 5:15 pm, Farmington is revved up and ready to keep the momentum going.
No. 10 Herriman - Herriman girls lacrosse is feeling the ups and downs of the season, sliding down a spot in the weekly coaches' poll with a record of 5-5 under the guidance of head coach Audree Erekson. Ranked at No. 10 in the UHSAA 6A standings with a 0.54 RPI, they're making their name known. Despite a sweet victory against Bingham on Tuesday with a 12-9 win, they lost against Mountain Ridge on Thursday, where they fell short with a 14-5 loss. But hey, tomorrow's a new day, and Herriman is gearing up to defend their home turf against Corner Canyon at 5:30 pm in a game that's bound to be exciting from all angles!
Hill and Hill Photograph Herriman vs Mountain Ridge Recap
Just a few miles separate the two southwest valley campuses which creates a great social and competitive dynamic between Herriman and Mountain Ridge High Schools lacrosse programs. These athletes, often neighbors, friends, and even family off the field, transform into fierce competitors as Mustangs and Sentinels when the lacrosse sticks are in hand. In their recent matchup at Sentinel Stadium, Mountain Ridge defended their home turf with an impressive 14-5 victory over Herriman. The first half saw both teams locked in a tight battle, with the Sentinels seizing an early lead only to be matched by Herriman's determined response. However, Mountain Ridge held a hard-fought 5-3 advantage by the end of the first quarter. The second quarter became a defensive showdown, with both teams' goalies, AT Lucero for Herriman and Greta Tree for Mountain Ridge, showcasing their prowess alongside their respective defensive units. Despite the efforts, the Sentinels carried a 6-4 lead into halftime. The second half saw Mountain Ridge's offense explode, netting eight goals from various players across the field. Despite Herriman's persistent efforts, they could only manage one goal in the latter half, with Sophie Sam and Shelby Ulibarri each contributing two goals for the Mustangs. However, Mountain Ridge's relentless offensive onslaught, led by Olivia Cannon and Taya Clark's hat-tricks, proved insurmountable. With a total of seven Sentinels finding the back of the net, including contributions from Karlee Farnsworth, Kalli Guymon, and Emery Clark, Mountain Ridge secured the victory. This matchup showcased the hard work of both programs, the talent of their athletes, the dedication of their coaches, and the spirited support of their fans, epitomizing the essence of high school lacrosse in Utah.
Western Winners Showcase
Welcome to Utah, Western Winners! A little backstory on this amazing opportunity:
In 2011, Western Winners was launched by a group of college coaches and was run in northern California. What started with 70 high school girls has grown to accommodate 120-180 annually, aiding over 2,000 young women in their college recruiting endeavors. Amidst the pandemic, the event relocated to Park City and is now back with the Tenacity Project, a women-led non-profit, after a stint with Trilogy Lacrosse. Several Utah alumni have benefited from the camp, finding success at the college level. Notably, some participants have joined NCAA championship teams, including current players in Northwestern's starting lineup. For more information, check out their website or register here.
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