2017 NIKE ELITE 120 BLOG

Welcome to our 2017 event–summer edition!  The move to the summer has necessitated some changes to our program as we welcome players from the class of 2020 and 2021.  First and foremost, we want to welcome new additions to our staff this year–Carla Gigon Farkes from Mass Elite and Tierney Ahearn from the Heros Tournament Club!

Despite some of the changes, our relationship with Nike is as strong as ever.  We really upped the ante with the uniform kit the girls received as well as a brand new Nike stick.  Love the lightweight hoodie too–that’s a brand new product, just released.

As always, we open with our combine testing for a nice and early wake-up call.  In the class of 2020s a number of girls stood out.  The all-around strong performance is a sign of a player who has prepped for the combine and is developing that sense of what it takes to perform in college.  Sophia Rucker (Summit Lacrosse/Loyola Academy) was a strong performer in all three of the disciplines–300 yard, 40 yard and the 5-10-5.  Mya Brock (Capital/Dominion) looks like she will be a strong attack, ripping a 67 mph fastest shot.  Nothing like running a 300 yard dash early in the morning but Sydney Ballew (Eagle Stix/Milton) seemed to have no trouble logging in at 50.82.  In the class of 2021, one of the top all around performers was Nicole Pio (STEPS/Mendham). She ran a 5 flat 40, a 4.59 5-10-5 and a 50.53 300–impressive! Our game is a speed game, which will be good news for any team with Jordyn Case (Yellow Jackets/Weddington) who only ran a sub-5 40!! Wow!

TUESDAY GAMES – CLASS OF 2020 – HIGHLIGHTED PERFORMERS

Tough start for new coach Carla Gigon Farkes at 0-3 but their games are tight and they are just a few plays away from a win.  When the Blue Jays get a win, we have a feeling it will be because of the stick of Cara Charette (Mass Elite/Notre Dame Academy.)  A sneaky lefty attack with a good finish, she already has several nice goals.

On the flip side, the Lions under Coach Kathy Black have started strong at 3-0.  Katherine Pascale (Salt City/Baldwinsville) has played a key role in the midfield.  She has been a physical presence on both sides of the field and shows great game sense.  Susannah Webster (Skywalkers/St. Paul) has several nice goals.  A little on t he slight side, she has still demonstrated that ability to “beat one” on the dodge and finish.

Our other new coach, Tierney Ahearn, has the Eagles sitting at 1-2 at the end of the first day with a big win to close out the day.  In that game, Hannah Johnson (Salt City/Baldwinsville) had three goals for the win.  A shifty lefty attack, she has that upstate game and really knows hot to finish.  Pairing her with Cailin Bracken (STEPS/Ridgewood) makes for a quality attack.  A righty, Bracken has shown great crease awareness, making several defenders miss and finding the net.

The Irish and Coach Kait Gentry are always in the hunt when it is said and done.  We expect Maddie Noel (Salt City/Fayetteville-Manlius) to grow into a nice prospect.  Tall and lanky, she played better as the session wore on.  A nice representation from upstate this year! We pride ourselves at the Elite 120 in identifying talent outside the usual areas and giving them a chance to shine in front of the coaches.  Elizabeth Smith (TNLAX/Fred Page) definitely fits the model of a player who has shined given the opportunity.  A little raw, she nevertheless demonstrated game-breaking speed that made her basically a human clear.

If I had to bet, I would bet on the Trojans for taking home the Nike backpacks we have as championship gear.  Andra Savage (Monster/Palmyra-Macedon) is a legitimate attack. She had a number of nice finishes in tight and showed great wrist snap on her shot.  In the midfield, Bridget Murphy (STEPS/Oak Knoll) was a strong presence.  Scrappy and good on ground balls, she also showed some nice flashes on the offensive end to lead her team to a 3-0 start.

The Terriers under Coach Bev Altig started 2-1 and benefited from the strong goalie play of Caroline Stole (Skywalkers/Roland Park.) Athletic and active, she really led the defense.  If you want to win the bag, you need strong goalie play and Stole fits the bill.  Natalie Pansini (Phantastix/Agnes Irwin) is listed as an attack but looks every the part of a midfielder.  Good speed, great body control, she really made her presence known.

The Hawks pulled out a win in the last game of the day to go 1-2.  Coach Mike Farrell’s team saw some quality attack play from Carleigh Mahoney (STEPS/Mendham).  Lanky, Mahoney has the fluidity to her arms and an ability to move the goalie and find the net.  As the session wore on, Julia Schwasnick (Liberty/Oceanside) showed that she was a legitimate midfielder with great speed and good two-way game sense.

Finally, the Quakers had a tough 0-3 day but that doesn’t mean there weren’t players that shined.  Annabelle Hasselbeck (Mass Elite/Rivers) had a number of nice finishes during the day and showed some real athleticism.  Also providing timely goals was Bridget Moriarty (STEPS/Summit). Not only good she finish, but she did a nice job of captaining the offense from behind the cage.

TUESDAY GAMES -CLASS OF 2021 – HIGHLIGHTED PERFORMERS

Always great to see how much improvement occurs just over the course of one session–all the coaches were remarking on it.  What a great experience for these girls as they begin the recruiting process.

The Wildcats will be looking for their first win tomorrow morning unfortunately.  We are sure Coach Gagon will pull them together and also sure that Ava Washington (TLC/Franklin) will help lead that charge.  A superb athlete, as soon as she polishes her game, she will shoot to the top of many colleges boards.  Another player that should also help lead that transformation will be Madison Flynn (Rebels/Oakdale).  Not necessarily the most polished player, Flynn is still the kind of player coaches look for in that she was always making plays and around the ball.

Also looking for their first win is Coach Mike Farrell’s Greyhounds.  You certainly couldn’t blame Sierra Suplee (Maryland United/Southern) for the losses.  With DI size and skill, Suplee was key between the lines for the team all session with her speed and fight.  If I was a college coach, I would always have a Long Island attack on my team like Gianna Murphy (Yellow Jackets/Westhampton Beach.) Something about those Island players–Murphy had a number of laser finishes on the day.

The Tigers finished the session at 1-2.  Coach Ahearn and I were both struck by the play and hustle of Hannah Custer (X-treme/Cocalico.)  We have had a number of central PA players over the years and what they may lack in polish they more than make up for in attitude, hustle and grit.  We are definitely keeping an eye on Custer to see how she develops.  Lauren Warfield (Maryland United/St. Andrews) provided some offensive spark for the team including a nice little finish where we swear she hit three pipes!

Another 1-2 finisher was the Blue Devils of Coach Altig. Their strong start to the day was marked by the play of Nancy Halleron (TLC/Notre Dame Prep.)  We liked both her DI size and the fact that she was a lefty. Definitely some work needed, but great upside. While the goals have certainly racked up in the 21 bracket, that does not mean we have not had good goalie play.  One of our top performers between the pipes has been Ashley Bowan (Maryland United/Archbishop Spaulding.) Despite some early clearing issues due to a stick in need of restringing, she made save after save–which every coach will tell you–that’s what we pay goalies to do!

The Tar Heels are next in the standings at 2-1.  We really liked a number of players on this team–perhaps no one more than Madison Sterling (Skywalkers/Bel Air.) Looking at my notes and all I have written down is that she is the total package–seems like high praise!  We are always happy to see little sisters come back to 120 and Emma Gebhardt (Salt City/Baldwinsville) seems to be following in her sister’s footsteps.  She fits the mold of the upstate attack with the slick stick for sure!

The Hoyas are next up, having tied the Gators in round robin play.  Like the Tar Heels, there were a number of players that caught our eye.  Kailey Pelkey (Skywalkers/Notre Dame Prep) just kept getting better and we kept wanting more.  Her game sense and speed make her another top performer from that club program. Sydney Naylor (Heros/Glenelg Country Day) had several nice finishes and demonstrated a slick stick.  In our notes we have–no way this kid is only a 21!

Coach D’Urso was not happy about the tie–she is aiming to win TWO championship backpacks now! Have you seen them hanging in the lobby–camo!  If she walks away with the 21 championship it will be in no small way due to the play in the cage of Kyleigh Eaton (Heros/Wildlake.)  She may be small but she plays big between the pipes and has a pinpoint clear.  Another top performer has been Samantha White (Skywalkers/Ridgley.) A little raw with some game sense to go, nevertheless, she has game breaking speed and killer first step.

And sitting at the top of the standings at 3-0 is Coach Gentry’s Knights.  Under her guidance, the Knights are usually contenders and this year’s squad is no exception.  It helps that she has what we think might be the best pure lacrosse player in the grade in Angelina Pino (Skywalkers/St. Paul’s.) Just can’t say enough about her game sense, body control and ability to finish–a real stud.  While Gabrielle Catts (Eagle Stix/Milton) may not be as polished, there just appears to be no quit in her.  She continues what has become a rather noble train of Georgia athletes who have shined at the 120.

Really looking forward to championship day tomorrow–always more energy in the building and it is always great to see who really just loves to compete!

WEDNESDAY GAMES – CLASS OF 2020 – HIGHLIGHTED PERFORMERS

Day two is championship day where the teams compete for the Nike championship backpacks this year.  After opening crossover games we move into the playoffs and consolation games.  First, the consolation teams:

The Quakers and Coach MC Rossing had a tough go of it over the two days finishing at 1-5 but with a number of close losses that could have gone the other way.  One player who really caught our eye over the two days was Lulu Hardy (Yellow Jackets/St. Anthony’s.)  A strong and confident defender, she had several nice reads on passes with several caused turnovers and strong clears.  On the offensive end, the team looked to Emily O’Donnell (South Jersey Select/Moorestown) for scoring punch.  We really liked her ability to stick a foot and drive from up top with a strong finish.

The Hawks picked up the tie and a win, going 1-4-1 with just a few goals separating them from a much better showing.  Defenders can sometimes be overshadowed but not so the play of Caitlin Hoffman (M&D/McDonogh.) You can tell she is a big-time defender with her DI size, physical toughness and endurance–just your usual McDonogh product! Kristin Quinn (Yellow Jackets/Ward Melville) showed great physicality in the midfield for the team and was an important contributor on both ends of the field.

Also coming in at 1-4-1 were the Blue Jays under Coach Carla Gigon Farkes in her debut at the 120.  Took a little bit for this team to find its groove on the offensive end but once they did they relied on Rosie McCarthy (Capital/Holy Child.)  She was a slick attack who demonstrated the ability to catch the ball in traffic and then finish.  Sophie Zachara (STEPS/Summit) was a smooth two-way midfielder.  She did a nice job on the draw when called upon but her footwork on the defensive end is what impressed us the most.

The Eagles finished the two days at 4-2, winners of the consolation bracket–a nice showing for Coach Ahearn in her first 120.  With all the talent on the field and only one goalie per team, it can be challenging to play the position.  Gianna Cameron (Mass Elite/Franklin), however, was up to the task.  Definite DI size and footwork–we look for her to excel in the coming years.  No doubt she benefited from top flight defenders like Alexandra Giacolone (Yellow Jackets/Eastport South Manor) in front her.  An athletic defender, she communicated well and led several breaks up field as well.

The Terriers finished at 3-3 with a semi-final loss. We liked a number of players on Coach Altig’s team but Day Two play saw Madeline Remington (MC Elite/Connelly School of the Holy Child) really shine.  Quick, strong, scrappy with a great high to low finish around the cage, we really enjoyed the little “jump-shot” she’s developed! We also really liked Lauren Yun (Liberty/Manhasset) all event long.  She demonstrated midfield speed and a good stick.

The Lions finished up at 4-2, also with a loss in the semis but a bounce back with in the 3/4 game. Julia Sullivan (South Jersey Select/Moorestown) was strong in the center circle for the team with a number of critical draw controls. Tatum Kohlbrenner (OrangeCrushEthix/CBA) was listed as a middie but seemed to do her best work as an attack with several nice finishes in the settled offense.

The Irish gave it go but couldn’t overcome the Trojans juggernaut in the final of the 2020s, losing 8-5. Morgan Carter (Maryland United/South River) was very good on possession and draw controls, helping to keep them in the game, while Taylor Smith (STEPS/Kinnelon) was seemingly everywhere.  A real grinder with plenty of upside, Smith also showed the ability finish with her left.

The Trojans finished at 5-1 with a commanding performance in the final, bouncing back to beat the Irish after having lost to them.  Amazing how quickly these players can gel as a team and improve their performance.  Alexandra Petras (Liberty/Manhasset) was one of those players who was always round the ball and having a positive impact on the play.  Meanwhile, Ella Little (Skywalkers/McDonogh) demonstrated top-game speed and quickness and had big goals over the course of the event and in the final!  Congrats!  Where the backpacks with pride!

WEDNESDAY GAMES – CLASS OF 2021 -HIGHLIGHTED PERFORMERS

All the staff on the second day kept commenting on how much this group improved over the course of the event–great preparation and a great experience for them going forward.  For many, no doubt it was their first time in this kind of high-level play environment.

The Greyhounds scrapped and clawed but just couldn’t close out with a win, finishing up at 0-5-1. Despite the lack of wins, there were still a number of standouts like Erin Schaefer (Yellow Jackets/Sayville.) She is an athletic middie who has great two-way speed. McKenna Davis (Monster/Pittsford) looks like she will be the prototypical upstate attack with the slick stick and the ability to finish.

The Wildcats were able to grab a win and a last second tie on the final day.  Contributing to the upswing in play was Emily Smart (South Jersey Select/Haddonfield) who showed sound footwork on the defensive end. We have already spoken of Jordyn Case’s performance in the combine portion but she also excelled on the field.  Once her stick catches up with her speed–watch out!

Also finishing up int he consolation bracket were the Blue Devils this year.  Over the course of the event, this team saw a number of players begin to gain their footing and shine.  Given her name, it’s probably no surprise that Grace Kelly (Mass Elite/Pollard) had good footwork but we were more impressed by her vision on the attacking end as she has a number of really nice feeds. Maureen Duffy (Yellow Jackets/Westhampton Beach) looks like she will develop into a strong DI body to match her already confident game and physicality.

The Tigers finished up at 3-2 and just out of the playoffs. They benefited from the strong goalie play of Katie Vahle (Yellow Jackets/Eastport South Manor.) She showed the type of quick hands and feet to be top-flight goalie. We also really liked Kemper Robinson (Skywalkers/Harford Day.) She is very athletic and demonstrated great body control.  We are positive that she will develop into a serious DI talent over the next two years.

After running through pool-play, the Knights ran into a wall in the semis but showed great poise in bouncing back for the win in the 3/4 game. We really liked this team and there were a number of top-flight talents: Ellie Wiechert (Heros/Elkridge Landing) who has great size and a DI body, Ashley Peck (STEPS/Mendham) who was just a huge physical presence on the field and Kennedy Major (Skywalkers/Shiloh) who was basically a human clear with her speed.

The Tar Heels played well all event as Coach Kathy Black’s teams always seem to do.  There were a number of standouts but none bigger than Josephine Baur (M&D/St. Jerome’s.) For just a 21, we were very impressed by her play and Coach Black just encouraged her to take charge knowing that she would make good decisions with the ball. Over the course of the two days, we kept identifying Charlotte Smith (Skywalkers/Bryn Mawr) as a player who need to step up a little. We were glad to see her with some big goals in the last game.  The confidence that you know you can play big in situations like these goes a long way and we expect great things from her!

The final matched up the Hoyas and the Gators with Coach G looked for the double win but it wasn’t meant to be.  It was a hard-fought game that featured a number of players.  McKenna Harden (Soundcrosse/New Cannan) played sound over the course of the event and showed great maturity as a player. Emma Christensen (TLC/Lakelands Park) was a small but quick attacker who several nice goals and Jessica Morrisroe (Yellow Jackets/Eastport South Manor) was, in the words of Coach G, “a beast” in all the games and a player she felt she could not take off the field.

Rocking the Nike backpacks as champions of the 2021 division were the Hoyas and Coach MC Rossing!  As you can imagine, there were a number of players who contributed.  We liked Madelaine Dora (Eagle Stix/Cambridge) for the energy and no-quit attitude she brought, Kate Christos (STEPS/Madison) for her slick stick and mature play and Kara Hunt (Maryland United/South River) for her ability to finish with either hand.  But, even though we do not select MVPs or All-Star teams, is we did, Elyse Finnelle (M&D/Southern) would surely be on it.  The final was a bit of a goalie’s duel with Kyleigh Eaton, which Finelle seemed to have the slight edge.  In particular, we liked her maturity outside the cage and her cal, cool clears.  A big time goalie for sure!

Thank you to all for coming and we hope you enjoyed the Nike Elite 120 experience!  Look for more information about next year’s event and dates! Signing off…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2016 NIKE ELITE 120 BLOG

Welcome to the 2016 edition of the Nike Elite 120–the nation’s premiere lacrosse recruiting showcase!  Every year we press to offer an even better experience and this year is no different.  Jenny Collins is back from Nike and the gear bag offered is the best yet.  Check out the top end stick–Nike Lunar 10.  It is Nike’s top stick for midfielders. Don’t worry–goalies get a stick too.  All about the cloth–in addition to the usual shorts, shirt, jersey and socks–check out the KO sweatshirt also included.  Our relationship with Nike is stronger than ever.

We also want to welcome Gianna D’Urso from STEPS as a new coach this year!  Good luck G!

As usual, Parisi is back to run our combine testing.  New to the Elite 120 was a fastest shot contest.  As always, the energy was great–some girls had clearly prepared for the testing portion and really killed it.

In the class of 2018, our team liaisons just could’t stop talking about Caroline Atkinson (Yellow Jackets/Cold Spring Harbor.) She was incredibly athletic and did well in all of the disciplines but she really excelled in the 300, nailing a 51.9.  That’s a lot of running early in the morning.

Shannon Karch (STEPS/Ridgewood) had clearly prepared as well.  Always a good sign that she understands what is going to be asked at that next level.  She ran a 4.75 int he agility run.

Finally, Jada Preston (Florida United/St. Thomas Aquinas) registered a blistering 69 mph on the fastest shot.

For the class of 2019, the 5-10-5 agility run was dominated by Christy Sieber (STEPS/Oak Knoll.)  Looking to see her use that speed out on the field.

Kayleigh Wolff (STEPS/Oak Knoll) ran a 51.31 in the 300.  Look like Oak Knoll has some speed coming up–bad news for the rest of New Jersey…

Looking forward to watching some games!

Saturday Games – Class of 2018 – Highlighted Performers

Always enjoy watching the games and very impressed by the high level of play.  Takes a bit for the girls to get used to each other and work the nerves out but the play was fast and aggressive for sure.  Showcase games are tough as it takes awhile for the girls to gel and develop some team play.  The teams that do it first, have the most success.  We at the Nike Elite 120 always like to highlight a couple of players who catch our eye on each team.

Eagles and Coach Brooke Fritz

The Eagles have started strong with some quality play.  Samantha Leva (Team Elevate/Half Hollow Hills) showed the ability to get up and down the field  She had several strong finished with a very good shot.  Coach Fritz was singing the praises of Emma Wightman (T3/Ridge).  She definitely has a DI body.  Every team needs a player who always seems to be around the ball and making plays on both end of the field and Wightman is certainly that player.

Blue Jays and Coach Kellen Millard

The Blue Jays have seen some up and down play already.  On the defensive end, Stephanie Heffron (MC Elite/St. John’s College HS) has played smart, solid defense.  Not flashy, she plays within herself and does a nice job of directing things on the back end.  Emma Parry (Orange Crush/West Genesee) has added great size and speed on that defensive end.  She had several nice transitions.

Irish and Coach Kait Gentry

The Irish had a nice comeback in the second game.  Anna Turk (STEPS/Summit) has had several nice finished already.  She has shown a willingness to scrap and earn tough goals with several solid lefty finishes for the right-hander.  Eliza MacCaull (Orange Crush/West Genesee) has earned Coach Gentry’s praises.  She is a quick, little lefty who has a couple of nice finishes–a very heady player who sees the field well.

Lions and Coach Kathy Black

The Lions had a tough start but bounced back nicely.  There are many players that have impressed us so far but probably none more than Sara Goodwin (CNYELC/Baldwinsville).  Every team can use a lefty attack that finishes and Goodwin fits that bill nicely–although she needed to finish that behind-the-back shot ; ).  Another player who has really impressed so far is Madeline Podaras (Yellow Jackets/North Shore). She has demonstrated exceptional athletic balance and speed while being that all important possession player that teams absolutely have to have if they are to succeed.

Hawks and Coach Mike Farrell

Struggling but consistently improving would the apt description for this team.  Need to see a little more consistency on the offensive end.  Defensively, they are just fine with Kaitlyn Lippert (CNYELC/Cicero-North Syracuse) manning the pipes.  Technically sound, Lippert has shown herself to be a disciplined, smart goalie who stays at home and makes the save.  Also helping out on the defensive end has been Alexis Joseph (STEPS Philly/Penn Charter).  We really like her speed in transition as well as her fearless nature and communication.  Bright future for her!

Trojans and Coach Gianna D’Urso

No team looks more cohesive right now than the Gators and they look like the early favorite to bring home the cloth–Nike has provided us with some great gear again!  Mae Briody (Newlax/Sacred Heart) has been a real glue kid.  While a little slight, she doesn’t play it!  She is tough and just goes hard–has been critical in gaining and maintaining possession.  At the Nike Elite 120, we always pride ourselves on top goalie play.  Maia Faraone (TLC/Bryn Mawr) has continued that tradition.  She has the size DI schools are looking for and yet remains active in the circle.  She has done a really nice job of taking away shooting angles.

Terriers and Coach Bev Altig

The Terriers have looked strong as well–Coach Altig is no stranger to winning the championship at the 120!  Already mentioned several goalies but won’t stop us from talking about Brianna Blatter (Yellow Jackets/Comsewogue).  We really like her height in the cage and ability to cover all the shooting spots.  But what was most impressive was how quickly the ball came out with several on-spot clears that started the transition.  Offensively, Mikayla Dwyer (Yellow Jackets/Shoreham Wading River) has shown flashed of game-breaking speed combined with tenacity.  She needs to keep working on that left hand of hers and she will really be difficult to stop.

Quakers and Coach MC Rossing

Quakers are struggling a bit but Coach Rossing has shown in the past that she can coach ’em up!  The genesis of a strong defense is there with Kayla Conway (Top Guns/Wantagh) leading the way.  She has excellent size and good footwork.  Her body positioning is excellent too.  Molly Dankowski (EagleStix/Pinecrest Academy) continues the tradition of players from the Peachtree state shining at the 120.  We liked her speed and think she will develop into a quality line defender.

Saturday Games – Class of 2019 – Highlighted Performers

Blue Devils and Coach Bev Altig

The Blue Devils have started strong and look to go far in the event.  Cathryn Camenzind (EagleStix/John Burroughs) has had a great start.  While in need of a stronger left hand, she was quick and determined on the field.  She finished all day, showing a great handle.  Combined with Taylor Mennella (Yellow Jackets/Smithtown West), the Blue Devils had a deadly combo.  Menella smart, showing an ability to feed as well as drive.  Love those lefty attackers!

Hoyas and Coach MC Rossing

The Hoyas have battled all day. Defensively, they have been led by Michaela McCarthy (M&D/Georgetown Visitation). She has great feet and body positioning–a definite DI commit.  On the offensive side, Janine Suris (Top Guns/Smithtown West) is another great left attack.  She had a number of nice goals.

Greyhounds and Coach Mike Farrell

Coach Farrell’s Greyhounds had a number of outstanding performers.  Arden Tierney (Top Guns/Sacred Heart Academy) was phenomenal on the draw control.  Smooth and smart, she is just a very smart player who should do very well at the next level.  Long Island is well represented in the class of 2019 for sure–Sophia Denicola (Yellow Jackets/Smithtown East) is another player who stood out.  A real work horse, she also delivered a rocket shot!

Gators and Coach Gianna D’Urso

Coach D’Urso has been delivering the goods in her first year.  It helps when you have players like Emily Nalls (Hero’s/Glenelg).  A solid line defender, she showed off her “wow speed” with a transition down the field that she should see with some offers coming out of the 120!  Offensively, we really liked Virginia Oursler (TLC/Bryn Mawr). A great athlete, she was just very fluid and good in all phases of the game.

Tar Heels and Coach Kathy Black

The Tar Heels opened strong for sure. Gabriella Garrett (Rush Henrietta) used her body well and showed an ability get her hands free to finish.  She definitely has put the time in as far as stick work goes. Carly Merlo (M&D/Franklin) looks to be one of the top goalies in the grade.  She had a number of point blank saves, very active.

Tigers and Coach Brooke Fritz

The class of 2019 games have been mostly tight and the Tigers have been in all their games. Kasey Choma (Yellow Jackets/Eastport South Manor) has earned Coach Fritz’ praise.  Very athletic, she has great body control and is a big time midfielder. Lila Huddles (TLC/McDonogh) is another in a long line of strong players from that school.  She’s an attack with the kind of stick you need to compete at a high level.

Wildcats and Coach Cutty Millard

Definitely struggling, we know Cutty will turn them around.  My guess is it will start with Kayla Rieu (Heros/Good Counsel). She is a real motor kid who just seems to be in on the play and around the ball.

Knights and Coach Kait Gentry

The Knights look real strong–playing well together and showing great cohesion on both ends. Olivia Carner (Yellow Jackets/Northport) just scored goal after goal.  She has great hustle, can seemingly handle any pass and clearly can finish!  But we think the player who really makes it hum is Katia Carnevale (STEPS/Summit). A player with a great stick who has clearly put the time in, she can also distribute the ball, keeping the field balanced and the team winning games.

Sunday Games – Class of 2018 – Featured Performers

Just entering the last set of consolation games and wanted to highlight a few more players who stood out on day two of the Elite 120.  Another great morning of lacrosse in front of college coaches with 79 coaches already having recruiting at the 120!!

Quakers and Coach MC Rossing

Quakers pulled out a tough 9-8 win first thing this morning.  Chloe Willard (Orange Crush/Cazenovia) was relentless on the offensive end.  A big attacker, she used her body well to clear her hands and some real nice high to low finishes. Defensively, Madeline Schaeffer (Yellow Jackets/Sayville) looked the part of the two-way midfielder.  A smart little player, she was all over the field and show great work effort.

Irish and Coach Kait Gentry

The Irish fought hard all morning but just couldn’t seem to solve things consistently on the offensive end.  Alexa Moro (CT Grizzlies/Staples) played well in the goal today.  She is not big of stature but is active and does a great job of attacking the shooter and taking away angles.  We were also impressed by Courtney Day (Mass Elite/Rivers School).  Another player is small in stature, she has a great stick and plays aggressively and smart.

Blue Jays and Coach Cutty Millard

Blue Jays opened the day strong for sure!  A key player in that was Kendall Wisinski (CT Grizzlies/Darien). She really showed well today. Good size, hard shot, speedy–she looks like a steal for some DI program.  Another player with an absolutely blistering shot is Kamryn McNeal (Phantastix/Garnet Valley).  She has a real high lacrosse IQ as well as physical strength.

Hawks and Coach Mike Farrell

The Hawks struggled a bit today but some still stood out. We really liked the hustle of Savannah Slack (SJS/Eastern). She works hard and is speedy–a little slight though–hit that weight room! The Nike Elite 120 has seen an influx of upstate performers this year and Alison Durkin (Orange Crush/Jamesville-DeWitt) is another top performer.  Quick and athletic, we found ourselves wishing she would demand the ball a little more!

Trojans and Coach Gianna D’Urso

The Trojans ran into a buzz saw in the semi-finals but had a great showing all weekend nonetheless. Sofia Afkham (Top Guns/Syosset) was player that seemed to get better with every game.  It’s always hard to adjust to players that you’ve never played with before but it is a sign of a heady player who can adjust her game to her team mates.  We also really liked the toughness and grit of Gina-Marie Verrone (STEPS/Mount Olive). A little lefty who is really good between the lines, she picked up tough ground ball after tough ground ball with her hustle.

Lions and Coach Kathy Black

The Lions lost a nail biter in the semis.  We thought their team played strong defense all weekend and the leader of that defense was Danielle Waters (Top Guns/Happauge). A tall defended with good reach, she communicated well and showed off her top form body positioning.  Another leader on that defense was Samantha VanBuren (Orange Crush/Westhill).  Upstate has shown well here at the 120.  College coaches are going to like her “blue collar” mentality.

Eagles and Coach Brooke Fritz

The runner-up Eagles had a great weekend, just missing out on the tie with time expiring–pipes are a goalie’s best friend!  Kelsie Callahan (Liberty/Sacred Heart) had a weekend that saw her play better and better. A killer first step, she also demonstrated great body control and fantastic stick skills.  A kind of kid all coaches want on their team. Collette Smith (SJS/Moorestown) is a tall player who is yet very nimble.  Really likedd the way she used her size to free up her hands and her ability to finish.

Terriers and Coach Bev Altig

Taking home the Nike gear with a hard-fought 8-7 win, the Terriers just kept getting better. Alaina Parisella (STEPS/Mount St. Mary) had the game winner with a classic crease drive and a dink and dunk shot.  Parisella has a slick stick and great arm rotation.  A top line attacker for sure.  So hard to find ones to mention on a team that played so well together–Coach Altig’s teams always seem to every year.  We were impressed by Casey Leach (Rebels/Good Counsel). Good feet, good movement–she always seemed to be in the passing lanes.  Congratulations to all the Terriers!

Good luck to all the 2018s in the college process and thanks for coming to the Elite 120!

Class of 2019 – Sunday Games – Featured Performers

We like to end with the energy of the younger class.  They have a lot of growing and learning to do for sure but they play with a passion.  Always fun to watch.  We hope it is fun for the college coaches who are sticking around to watch the last few games.

We had 82 coaches as a final count recruiting at the 2016 Nike Elite 120!!!!!

Blue Devils and Coach Bev Altig

No double championship for Coach Altig–have never had one at the 120.  Her Blue Devils played well for sure but not well enough.  We were struck by Brianna Carrasquillo (Yellow Jackets/Rocky Point) and were kicking ourselves for not noticing her sooner.  Athletic with the ability to finish, she looks the part of a DI player.  Defensively, Mary Christa McWright (Skywalkers/Maryvale Prep) was strong and sure with her stick and played with verve.

Greyhounds and Coach Mike Farrell

Coach Farrell was singing the praises of Wayden Ay (SJS/Haddonfield). He really liked her decision-making on the field and referred to her as a complete player. Kari Buonanno (Mass Elite/Moses Brown) proved herself to be one of those players who seemed to always be around the ball–really liked her hustle.

Wildcats and Coach Kellen Millard

The Wildcats had a much better day for sure–far more competitive.  One reason for that was Madelynn Lucidi (SJS/Moorestown) who was big in the cage.  She was a big reason they were able to hang around, making big save after big save. Offensively, Gina Barbera (Yellow Jackets/Connetquot) started to step up and assert herself.  Small, she was able to create space with a quick first step and finish.

Hoyas and Coach MC Rossing

Speaking of goalie play, Madalyn Piersielak (Lady Roc/Fairport) was exceptional all weekend.  Still figuring out her positioning, she has the quick hands you need to play goal at the next level.  Brooke Barger (Skywalkers/Notre Dame) is just smooth.  A top level middie, she was around the ball all weekend.

Tigers and Coach Brooke Fritz

Tigers were right there all weekend long, showing great tenacity as a team.  Sarah Cipolla (Heros/Glenelg) was emblematic of that tenacity.  She was tough, earning ground balls and possession for the team.  We also liked how we saw Jennifer Barry (Yellow Jackets/Centerreach) just get better over the course of the six games.  We at the Nike Elite 120 believe that to be the best, you have to play the best and we like to think Barry was pushed to get better and she responded!

Tar Heels and Coach Kathy Black (with an assistant from Coach Michelle Kelly–coach with STEPS and former collegiate All American)

The Tar Heels finished the day strong with a third place finish.  A number of players stood out but Jane McAvoy (Capital/Georgetown Visitation) displayed a legitimate sniper’s mentality.  She can flat out score–we would expect her to see a lot of traction out of this weekend.  Both Coach Black and Kelly were talking up Samantha Thacker (M&D/McDonogh). This one could do it all–a complete two-way player that shined on defense, dominating the passing lanes and exhibiting a sweet stick.

Gators and Coach Gianna D’Urso

The Gators just couldn’t get over the hump of the Knights although they really played a whale of a game in the final.  Paige Gunning (MDU/Archbishop Spalding) is clearly a top goalie in this class, she is smart, active and makes saves.  In the final, Charlotte Verhulst (Yellow Jackets/St. Anthony’s) played her heart out.  We really liked how strong she was with her stick and was great on ground balls.

Knights and Coach Kait Gentry

The champion Knights ran the table–only really challenged by the Gators.  On a team that good we could talk about all of them–Lauren Baehr (Rebels/McDonogh) with two strong runs out of the defensive end–Ashley Nutt (SJS/Moorestown) with a rifle shot for goal number 7–Claire Morris (Yellow Jackets/Northport) making big saves–but we really liked Rachel Saunders (Skywalkers/Hereford).  A defender with DI size, she earned some tough ground balls.

Congratulations to all the participants of the 2016 Nike Elite 120!!  We think it may have been the best one yet as far as the level of competition and the coaches who recruited.  Remember, keep working hard and don’t settle for where you are now!  We look forward to seeing you all do well in your high school season and over the club season too.

Signing off!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2015 Nike Elite 120 Event Blog

Welcome to the 2015 edition of the Nike Elite 120–the nation’s premiere girls’ lacrosse recruiting showcase!  Just a couple of changes for this year as we keep improving the experience.  The gear bag keeps getting better and better as Nike keeps coming through for us.  Also, be sure to check out Inside Lacrosse as the Nike Elite 120 has taken over their Instagram account today!  Finally, we welcome Coach Tracy Weiner from Farmingdale (NY) and the Yellow Jackets as a new coach for us.

Parisi is back this year and running our combine testing for us.

The energy level was high at the combine testing for sure.  Everyone showed up ready to go, clearly having prepared.  Combine in the morning followed by three hard games and you had better have prepared.

In the class of 2017, Charlotte Curnin (T3 2017 Black) ran a blistering 40 dash.  Always room at the next level for that kind of speed for sure.  Another top performer across the board in the class of 2017 was Stella Spotts (STEPS Elite 2017 Blue.) A big and athletic defender, she did very well in all three testing areas.

The class of 2018 also showed some top shelf athleticism.  Representing one of the growing areas for lacrosse, Isabelle Scane (Detroit Coyotes) finished in the top ten in all three tested areas.

Saturday Games – Class of 2017 – Highlighted Performers

Always enjoy watching the games and very impressed by the high level of play.  Takes a bit for the girls to get used to each other and work the nerves out but the play was fast and aggressive for sure.  The games have been hard fought and close–a real testament to the players!  We at the Nike Elite 120 always like to highlight a couple of players who catch our eye on each team.

Lions and Coach Kathy Black

A tie and a one goal loss so far for Coach Black’s team, led by a couple of Long Islanders who caught our eye.  Really liked #80 Jocelyn Miller (Yellow Jackets/Eastport-South Manor.) A heady midfielder, she showed great vision in helping to direct the offense.  Taylor Carson (Yellow Jackets/Wantagh) was the recipient of some of those nice passes and she made sure she finished.  Long Island kids always seem to know how to finish!

Eagles and Coach Brooke Fritz

Two close losses for the Eagles to start the day but they had their chances.  Logan Book (CT Grizzlies/Darien) stood out.  She seemed to always be in the play as her hard work and speed helped keep the Eagles int he game at both ends–a very solid midfielder.  Tough for defenders to stand out in these type of showcases, but Brittney Wright (South Jersey Select/Moorestown) was able to do so. She exhibited that patented great footwork and balance that has led to Moorestown’s reputation as a great defensive team.

Blue Jays and Coach Kellen Millard

One close win, one close loss for the Blue Jays.  A lot of players we liked here–definitely a team that plays hard.  Brittany Bruno (T3 Shore/Rumson) had killer speed. Lauren Harrison (Pacific Falcons/Agoura) exhibited a powerful shot.  Nice to see the state of California represented, even if it’s by a Maryland transplant! Finally, Isabelle Webster (TLC/McDonogh) is a tall and rangy midfielder who also showed the ability to finish on the offensive end.

Terriers and Coach Bev Altig

Two close wins to start, showing the ability to finish a close game!  Again, always on the lookout for top defenders here and we liked Jordan Ansell (TLC/McDonogh.)  She looks the part of a defender at the next level.  Good size, communicates well, and has no fear when she has the ball–was important in the Terriers’ ability to transition out of their defensive end.  Couldn’t talk about the Terriers without mentioning Taylor Gladd (Yellow Jackets/Garden City.) In the games we watched, she pumped in several big goals, showing the ability to pull out and re-cut, drive hard past her defender and find the net.

Quakers and Coach MC Rossing

Opened with a tie and then bounced back with a nice win.  The Nutmeg State is once again well represented at the Nike Elite 120.  Colleen Bannon (CT Grizzlies/Staples) has great speed and size.  Bookending that was Hannah Shim (Heros/Marriotts Ridge) who also has great speed and size but on the defensive end.  Both players look like top DI prospects to us!

Trojans and Coach Tracy Weiner

Started with a strong win but fell short in their second game. Grace Paletta (CT Grizzlies/Sacred Heart) has some work to do as far as stick skills but you can’t question her heart and hustle–very rangy! Goalie play is crucial to success at the Nike Elite 120 and we have always been blessed to have some good ones. Teja Gallop (YJ North/Brookfield) definitely falls into that category.  She looks good in goal and has made some big saves for the Trojans.  Georgia has always sent some quality players north for the event and Sophie Baez (Eagle Stix/Milton) is another in a long line.  We watched her finish a free position shot in her first game with a wicked riser!

Mountain Hawks and Coach Mike Farrell

Two ties to start the day–think that’s a Nike Elite first! Rachel Florek (ESLC/Stephen Decauter) was a big part of that.  A legitimate goalie prospect, we hope she is able to garner some interest from the over 50 coaches who have already showed up! Also really liked Erin Kerstetter (SJS/Seneca.) She’s a little small for a defender but certainly doesn’t lack in toughness and speed.  Great footwork too.

Irish and Coach Kait Gentry

A close loss and another tie! Looks like a good year for Stephen Decauter–Christina Romano (ESLC) just showed no quit.  We really liked her hustle out there. Lauren Bredenburg (Skywalkers/North Carroll) plays great 1v1 defense.  Does a great job of keeping the offensive player inside her frame, physical and hold her ground.  Can’t say enough good things about her defense. And finally, we have to talk about Kelly Marra (Yellow Jackets/Sayville) who pretty much owned the morning in top performances across the board at the combine and then finished all day long, netting several sweet goals.

Class of 2018 Highlighted Players

A year younger but hardly small or a step slower, the class of 2018 featured some really great lacrosse at such a young age.  All our staff was really impressed with this year’s group.

Wildcats and Coach Kellen Millard

The Wildcats started strong behind the outstanding play of goalie Taylor Suplee (MD United/Bullis.) She was a wall in goal and it’s obvious why she has drawn so much early attention. Caroline McCarthy (Team Elevate/Sacred Heart) is a big and tall defender who has really good wheels.  She plays hard and was outstanding in transition.  Offensively, the Wildcats turned to Anna Park (STEPS/Suffern) on a number of occasions. A scrappy and tough midfielder and attack, she was hard to handle in 1v1 situations.

Knights and Coach Kait Gentry

At the Nike Elite 120, we love to be able to showcase players from around the nation.  While lacking in polish, Erin Bakes (Lax Maniax/Ransom Everglades) was big and fast and a top contributor in the midfield.  Complimenting her in the midfield was Emma Jaques (CT Grizzlies/Darien.) Her good speed is complemented by a strong stick.

Tar Heels and Coach Kathy Black

Really impressed with Lexie Morton (Eagle Stix/Milton.) Very fast, very athletic.  She has a lot of upside. The Milton tradition continues! #115 Meaghan Tyrrell (Yellow Jackets/Mount Sinai) is just good.  She has a killer first step and a great finish.  And we don’t want to leave without mentioning Helen Johnson (STEPS/Summit.) She’s smart and plays to her strengths, which led to a number of nice goals.

Gators and Coach Tracy Weiner

The team started slow but picked up as the day went on and the adjusted to Coach Weiner’s style! Maddie Johnston (M&D Black/Notre Dame Prep) is a tall and lanky 2018 who has some filling out to do but she was great on the draws today and got up and down the field.  CC Telesco (STEPS/Ridgewood) is an athletic midfielder who has a lot of upside.  She has work to do but great potential.

Tigers and Coach Brooke Fritz

We were impressed with Lauren Craft (Rev Westchester/Brewster.) She works hard on the field and, as a result, often finds herself in the right places and scored big goals today. We were also watching Kacey Knobloch (SJS/Moorestown.) She knows how to work around the crease and to use her size.  Definitely a heady player.

Greyhounds and Coach Mike Farrell

Lillie Kloak (STEPS/Ridgewood) needs some work on her off hand but brings the combination of size, speed and overall athleticism that will see her as an early commit. Offensively, Jennifer Medjid (Yellow Jackets/Garden City) will keep up the GC tradition.  A tough little attack, she finished a big free position shot to win a game today.  We were also really impressed with Peighton Stone (M&D Black/Glenelg.) She has DI size and can really be a game changer.

Blue Devils and Coach Bev Altig

She has a lot of work ahead of her as far as stick skills, but oh, can Cailin Field (SJS/Moorestown) fly! Annie Gillis (STEPS/Bernards) used her quickness to really be a part of seemingly every play.

Hoyas and Coach MC Rossing

Hoya Saxa! Julia Hoffman (M&D Black/McDonogh) scored a bunch of goals.  She has a really nice lefty finish that none of the goalies could save. Finally, we were really impressed with the hard work of Eliza Thaler (Phantastix/Baldwin School.) She runs well despite being a little lanky.  Definitely has some serious upside!

Day Two – Highlighted Players and Championships

An icy and wet start to the second day of the Nike Elite 120.  Thank you to all for making here–word had it that the roads were a little tough.  Fortunately, there is NO better indoor facility than Indoor Sports Pavilion.  I say it every year, the real star of our event is this great facility that allows us to play two full field games at the same time in January.  Every college coach I talk to just loves how close to the games they are and how easy it is to transition back and forth.  And what a great group of college coaches we have here.  I still have to check the final list but just about every top program in the nation was represented here at one point in the weekend.

Class of 2017

Lions

Coach Kathy Black liked the hard work of Stefani Peluso (Ultimate/Immaculata.) The attacker had a number of goals over the weekend while exhibiting the ability to protect her stick in traffic.  Riley Ewing (Eagle Stix/Milton) is another top Georgia performer.  The speedy midfielder had two big goals to win the game against the Quakers.

Trojans

This is a team that was a little short-handed due to the weather conditions but they really rallied and played with great toughness all day.  That tough attitude was personified by Brielle Huddy (SJS/Moorestown.) She was aggressive to the goal and fearless inside the eight, finishing strong several times. Hope Smith (STEPS Philly/Radnor) also had tough goal after tough goal.  Really liked her hustle all over the field.

Quakers

This is a team that came up just short with a great crop of talented players. Coach MC couldn’t stop raving about Jess Goralski (SJS/Moorestown.) She looks like the next in that long line of great Moorestown goalies, very aware with high lacrosse IQ and the ability to make saves. Audrey Hannigan (STEPS/Summit) finished strong all day long and was also a force on the draw control.

Eagles

We were impressed by the second day hard work of Sammy Helgeson (X-treme/Hempfield.) We really liked how she just would not be denied on the field. She combined a quick first step with midfield speed.

Blue Jays

Couldn’t pull out a semi-final victory but had a good weekend for sure.  Paige Kolbe (MDU/Indian Creek) was an essential part of the team’s success.  Besides making saves, she was great on clears.  Offensively, they were lead by Mary Markwordt (Heros/Trinity.) Speedy with very good stick skills, she finished strong in the first game of the day.

Terriers

The favorite going into the semis, they lost a hard fought game. All weekend long, here at the Nike Elite 120 we have talked about the spectacular goalie play in the 2017 class.  Bridget Deehan (Eagle Stix/Milton) is definitely a goalie for the next level.  Very active in goal, her clears were out quick, starting the fast break. We also liked Alexandra di Chiara (Yellow Jackets/Plainedge) as an attack who was very aggressive and fast in the re-defend.

Mountain Hawks

Argh, another tough loss for Coach Farrell at the Nike Elite 120! A great run for the team, tough, with some quality offense highlighted by Laura Murphy (CT Grizzlies/Darien.) She has a nice shot and had some big goals in the team’s run to the championship game. So nice to see a little upstate here at the nike Elite 120.  We were very impressed by the heady play of Elizabeth Blanding (Lady Roc/Pittsford.) She played a great team style of lacrosse!

Champion Irish!

A repeat championship for Coach Gentry! This team just really jelled as the tournament progressed. One constant, though, was Katie Forman (Rebels/Good Counsel.) She really was a key–big save in the final seconds to seal the victory. Another key performer was Kali Peeples (House of Sports/White Plains.) Possession was so important for this team and she was  more than solid when came to the draw!  Congratulations Irish!

Class of 2018

What a talented group of players we had for the class of 2018.  As always, they have a lot to learn about lacrosse but they certainly impressed us.  The Nike Elite 120 is always a great chance for these girls to play against the top competition in the nation and gives them a chance to measure themselves and see where they have to improve.

Tar Heels

A very talented squad that was in every game–amazing the number of ties this year!  Helping to keep the team in every game was goalie Katherine Friday (STEPS/Chatham.) Definitely a DI caliber goalie, she has the size and quick hands to make the big save.  Combined with some poise, she will be ready to take it to the next level.

Blue Devils

Every coach loves a lefty attack who can finish and Sara Goodwin (CNYElite/Baldwinsville) certainly falls into that category.  Like so many of those upstate players, she looks like she was born with a stick in her hand and finishes well in around the goal.  The Blue Devils attack was also aided by the quick first step of Taylyn Stadler (Yellow Jackets/Syosset.) She impressed us with her lateral quickness and ability make one miss.

Gators

This team worked hard for Coach Weiner but certainly had their ups and downs throughout the two days.  Lizzie McBride (X-treme/Manheim Township) was a consistent performer though.  A tall midfielder, she showed flashes of speed and strength on the offensive side of the field.

Wildcats

Grayson Offutt (Capital/St. Stephens & St. Agnes) was on a strong performer at the center circle who used her size to here advantage and was great on groundballs. Every team needs those players who don’t always show up in the stat line but are crucial to victory and Hannah Dorney (Yellow Jackets/Comsewogue) is definitely that player.  She does all the hard work and both ends of the field and between the restraining lines that is necessary of the midfielder in today’s more athletic game.

Tigers

A semi-finalist, the Tigers couldn’t overcome our eventual champion but played great throughout the weekend.  We were impressed with the play of Rachel Anderson (M&D Black/McDonogh) all weekend.  Tall and athletic, she also possess a hard shot. The Tigers also benefited from the strong all-around play of Gabrielle Hamburger (Heros/River Hill.)  It’s clear she has put the time in as her stick work was outstanding for her grade.  Just really liked her hustle.

Greyhounds

Wow–what a comeback to just fall short! Things looked bleak at halftime of the semis but the Greyhounds stormed back int he second half only to lose by a goal! Mentioned as having done quite well in the combine, Isabelle Scane (Detroit Coyotes/Cranbrook Kingswood) has much still to learn when it comes to the finer points of lacrosse but has the kind of athleticism that college coaches can’t wait to get! Defensively, the team benefited from the great team play of Erin Phillips (Capital/Episcopal.) She has DI size for the defensive position and is confident with her stick-a must for defenders but a skill often lacking.

Knights

The key to this team’s success throughout the weekend was their ability to gain possession and then do good things with it.  Draw control was dominated by an athletic midfield and back line led by Meaghan Scutaro (Yellow Jackets/Mt. Sinai.) Unbelievable that there is another player from this high school who is clearly DI material but she is just flat out good.  DI size, speed with a high lacrosse IQ.  We also really liked the speed of Kaleigh Brennan (STEPS/Summit.) If this were a football rating system, she would be listed as “athlete”–great speed, toughness and a nose for the ball.

Hoyas

Hoya Saxa was the theme for the 2018s this weekend as the Hoyas squeaked out a one-goal win in the championship game.  Only fitting in a weekend that saw so many ties and one-goal games that the championship would be decided thusly!  Taylor Lawrence (Capital/Holton-Arms) has work ahead of her for sure but what potential! Speedy and rangy, she was key to the Hoyas’ possession game all weekend. Finally, one player that just seemed to get better as the games get bigger was Madison Reilly (Yellow Jackets/Friends Academy.) She scored tough goal after tough goal but never stepped outside the team concept, allowing the game to come to her. Coach Gentry of Knights “honored” her with a face guard in the championship game at the suggestion of Coach Fritz of the Tigers–just a sign of the respect she earned!

Thanks to all the participants who made the 2015 edition of the Nike Elite 120 such a success! Thanks to all the parents who came and supported as well.  Thanks as always to Nike for their sponsorship–the sticks this year were really cool. And, as always, thanks to the college coaches for recruiting at the Elite 120!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EVENT BLOG FROM 2014 EVENT:

Welcome to the 2014 version of the Nike Elite 120!!  Always excited to watch some of the top high school girls compete with and against each other.  New for this year–our relationship with Nike has expanded with the addition of Nike SPARQ testing.

The morning session was taken up with testing the girls in both classes.  In the class of 2016, three girls stood out in our eyes.  Katie Muldoon (Garden City-Top Guns) crushed it in all the disciplines with the top 20 time in the class.  Katie Quinn (Radnor-STEPS Philly) was another player who turned in solid times in all the disciplines.  Finally, Maddie McDaniel (Severn School-MD United) had the best power ball throw and other strong showings in the 20 and 5-10-10-5.

In the class of 2017, Alison Mastroianni (Bridgewater, NJ – STEPS) really stood out.  Tall and extremely athletic, she ran the fourth best 20 and had the strongest power ball throw.

 

Saturday 3:45 – First round of 2016 games are completed and the Hawks, coached by Mike Farrell, look like the team to beat.  Two players stood out throughout the games.  Madison Foglio (Manhasset-Liberty) was terrific in goal.  Very talkative, she led a defense that was hard to penetrate.  Annika Nissen (Moorestown-South Jersey Select) just has the look of a player.  She was strong on both ends but was particularly aggressive on defense, displaying that patented Moorestown style.

The Trojans struggled at the end but had a strong start.  Kelly Harrington (St. Paul’s – TLC) showed good field awareness and displayed midfield speed.  Goalie play is always strong here at the Elite 120 and Maggie Bigelow (Montclair, NJ – Tri-State) was certainly no exception.  As Coach Jen Munday reported, she just makes saves!

The Eagles had a nice showing–looking like they might give the Hawks a run for their money.  Emily Wingate (Chatham, NJ – STEPS) is a strong lefty finisher with a powerful shot.  She had a bunch of goals.  Another big scorer for the Eagles was Logan Brennan (Kingston, NY – Albany Elite).  She has good size and was hard to stop inside the eight and finished well.

One of the great things about the Elite 120 is watching players from outside the traditional hotbeds come and perform well.  Bodes well for the continued growth of the sport.  Jamie Trabaudo (Polytech, DE – Eastern Shore) continues that tradition.  Demonstrating great midfield speed, she also has good size.  One of the top scorers for the Lions was Jordan Rosa (St. Paul’s – TLC). We were particularly impressed with how strong she was and yet incredibly agile.

The Quakers stormed back and pulled out a tie against the Bears. Amelia Biancardi (Elwood, NY – LI Top Guns) was huge on the draw.  She showed a knack for winning the big possession that her team needed.  We also liked Nicole Ceraso (Plainledge, NY – Yellow Jackets). She has a talented stick and does a nice job of being a field general on the offensive end.

The Bears really benefited from the play of Emily Ehle (B-ville, NY – Star Riders.) She came highly recommended from upstate and we can see why. She has DI size and can run!  Loved the play of Margaret Pressler (La Salle – Team Rev) too.  If she can free up her arms, the ball is in the back of the net with a wicked side arm shot.

Emily Mathewson (Garnet Valley – Brandywine Majors) is ambidextrous and it shows.  A tough attacker to defend, she also showed flashes of midfield speed.  The Pennsylvania connection was strong with Brianna Cirino (Spring-Ford – Phantastix) also contributing.  Loved her hustle all over the field!

Finally, we were also impressed with the play of Micheline Dinardo (Rye – CT Grizzlies.) An active and athletic goalie, she was a part of the Irish turnaround after that first game.

9:00 pm – Class of 2017 games have wrapped up now.  These games are always so much to watch and the girls get a chance to compete against top competition.  We were particularly struck by the high level of the goalie play.

The Blue Devils finished the day undefeated and looked really strong.  In addition to Mastroianni, Ali Baiocco (Oak Knoll, NJ – STEPS) showed tremendous finishing ability.  She has really good hands and great body control.

The Knights also finished the day undefeated.  Jamie Ortega (Middle Country, NY – Yellow Jackets) was fantastic.  Definitely at top DI player. Quinn Nicolai (Moorestown – South Jersey) showed great footwork and body control.  Really liked the way she played one on one defense.

The Greyhounds were led in scoring by Ava Barry (St. Anthony’s – Yellow Jackets). She was strong in traffic and, in Long Island tradition, a great finisher. We also liked Cassidy Orban (West Morris, NJ – T3 North). Raw in lacrosse skills, she nevertheless made an impact with her speed, strength and toughness.

Lefty goalies usually throw shooters for a loop as was certainly the case with Devon Fleischmann (Perkiomen, PA – Dynamite). She kept the Hoyas competitive all day with quick hands and an ability to see the ball in close.

Katie Railey (Notre Dame Prep – TLC) is top midfielder who plays both ends of the field. She showed a really good stick and was very good on ground balls.  The Tigers had a number of players who really got at it.  Logan Book (Darien, CT – CT Grizzlies) was a good motor kid who just played hard.

The Tar Heels were led by Sophia Triandafils (Shoreham Wading River, NY – Yellow Jackets). She showed a great little hesitation move and a sweet finish.  A great all around player for sure.

Always hard to stand out as a defender but Devon Heaney (Garden City – Yellow Jackets) certainly found a way.  A top defender, she showed tremendous poise in transitioning the ball.

Catie May (McDonogh – Skywalkers) looked like she should catch anything thrown her way.  An excellent stick, she was a leader on the field for the Wildcats. She might need to work a little on her stick but Sammy Helgeson (Hempfield, PA – X-Treme) showed unbelievable speed.  The kind of speed that will always find a home on the lacrosse field.

Sunday-Class of 2016-Final games and playoffs:

The Eagles proved to be the team to beat, earning a 12-6 victory over the Hawks in the final.  Having watched these games for four years now, it always the team that gels the fastest that comes away with championship.  Fascinating to watch that process as top athletes from all the top club programs are forced a little out of their comfort zone and tested to perform at a higher level!

The Trojans certainly saw their fair share of struggles over the course of two days.  Barrett Carlson (Saint Louis, MO – EagleStix) helped keep them competitive with her size and speed.  Coach Munday found her highly coachable.  Emily Kalin (Summit, NJ – STEPS) was another player who really stood out this weekend.  Hard-working on both ends of the field, she will no doubt be playing at the next level.

Coach Kathy Black’s Lions also struggled to find the win column.  Nevertheless, they received outstanding play from Liza Barr (Shawnee, NJ – South Jersey Select).  Her speed was a disruptive element on the field.  We received a glowing recommendation on behalf of Liza Diamond (Delray Beach, FL – Lady Swashbucklers) and now we can see why.  She was very solid in goal–great news for the continued growth of the sport outside of the Northeast.

Another player from outside the Northeast who shined on day two was Emily Velez (Milton, GA – Eaglestix). Given the strength of her high school program and club program, it is no surprise however.  The Elite 120 has really benefited from the Peach state the last two years.  She’s a definite crease monkey with a variety of shots.

The Bears had a strong day two.  We really liked Kara Nakrasius (Garnet Valley – Brandywine Majors). She’s a high energy player who goes hard–you can tell she comes from a strong high school program and is familiar with playing at that next level.

The Blue Jays benefited from some excellent defense on day two.  Teia Ross (Summit, NJ – STEPS) demonstrated a calm poise with the ball in transition that allowed her to weave through the often bigger midfielders.  Claire D’Antonio (Moorestown – South Jersey Select) showed great speed and awareness.

The Hawks rode improved teamwork to the final on Sunday afternoon.  Defense and goal tending were key for them but Kelly Aneser (Garden City – FLG) provided the finish on the offensive end.  She showed that Long Island ability to finish in traffic.

Alicia Cristoforo (Garden City – Liberty) means that the pipeline at that famous high school is secure.  She was a top defender at the event who communicated well and showed smarts on the help slides.

When you win the thing, there are many players you could mention.  Two really bear mention given how this team was able to dominate the play.  Katie Bourque (Ridgewood, NJ – STEPS) was an aggressive defender who really dictated the action.  Her speed was also an asset in the transition game.  If we had to pick an MVP, we would all vote for Morgan Hendry (West Windsor-Plainsboro, NJ – South Jersey Select). A quick first step, she dominated the draw throughout the championship game.  Every groundball and every fifty-fifty ball seemed to be hers.  She was worth additional possessions every game.  Loved her.

Sunday Afternoon – Class of 2017 final games and playoffs: What we had to say about teamwork for the class of 2016 holds true here as well.  Although, it should be noted that Coach Kait Gentry was talking smack from the first few minutes of watching her Knights play–she prefers swag, I’m told.  Whatever it is, they backed it up with their play, culminating in a 14-7 win over the comeback Hoyas in the final.

The Tar Heels saw some fine play on day two with Kate Kotowski (Cold Spring Harbor, NY – Team Elevate) showing a great all around game.  I was particularly struck by her stick work which allowed her to get out of jams on the defensive end and contribute on the offensive side.  If anyone was worried, no need to be so about the goalie position at Moorestown because Jessica Goralski (South Jersey Select) would seem to have that position locked up for a few years.  She’ll be worth the price of admission.

Another player highly recommended from outside the Northeast who did not disappoint was Anna Santulli (Hinsdale, IL – Wildcat Elite). She is clearly well coached and showed a great motor.

Another high-powered high school program that looks to be set for awhile is Milton, GA.  The Gators improved tremendously on day two and Sophie Baez (EagleStix) was a major reason why.  A little lefty, she was crafty around the goal and finished a number of times.

The college coaches are always looking for that player who is a glue kid, willing to do anything to help their team win.  Keegan Barger (Notre Dame Prep, MD – Skywalkers) was just that player.  She seemed to do everything for the Wildcats and showed no concern for her physical well being in a desire to win games.

The Blue Devils were the hard luck team of the tournament–eight pipes in the semis!!  Small but tough, Courtney Renehan (Glenelg, MD – Heros) was a quick possession kid for the team.

Special mention needs to be made about Hannah van Middelem (Mount Sinai – Yellow Jackets). Not only did she play great between the pipes for the Tigers, but she also stepped up for the Knights when their goalie went down with a broken finger.  We were particularly impressed with her clears and stick skills.  She showed tremendous poise for someone her age.

No team improved more on the second day than the Hoyas.  Madison Dunk (Durham, NC – Carolina Fever) was representative of that improved play.  We like to think that the Elite 120 helps these girls step up their play to a level that they might not consistently see outside of the hotbed areas.  Dunk finished well, especially in the semi-final game.

I could talk about the Knights all day.  It certainly didn’t hurt to have Jamie Ortega on the team but Grace Griffin (Liberty, MD – M&D) was an important element in the team’s dominance.  If you like size, speed, field awareness and great defense then this Griffin is your kind of player.  Ann Maloney (River Hill, MD – Heros) was awesome in goal.  Fundamentally sound, she made save after big save.  Heal that finger quickly!  And finally, we liked the heady play of Jordan Lappin (Morrisville, NC – Carolina Fever). The tar heel state was well represented for sure by her quick feet.

Thanks to all the players who made the event another rousing success!  And special thanks to Nike for their growing support as well.  We are looking forward to next year’s event already!!