Players Open High School Recap: Curriculum, Players that Impressed & Award Winners Presented by Gait Lacrosse

This past Sunday Players Open showcased an incredible display of talent and competition, featuring over 300 high school girls from across the country. The event brought together a strong group of Division 1 college coaches, who were actively teaching, mentoring, and recruiting throughout the day. With high energy, elite instruction, and standout performances across the board, Players Open once again proved to be one of the premier opportunities for rising lacrosse talent to shine. The LILJ was present bringing live updates, video highlights and action photos throughout the day while also evaluating talent in search of the next wave of Gait Athletes and Juniors Open Invites. Recapping this year’s Players Open let’s take a look at the curriculum, players that impressed, and award winners!

Curriculum

Player Development

The morning began with positional training led by some of the best college coaches in the country. Players were immersed in fast-paced, competitive environments that emphasized advanced concepts, game IQ, and adaptability. Each position group learned from multiple coaching styles, refining the finer details that separate good players from great ones.

After positional work, athletes transitioned into live drill segments run directly by college coaches. Attackers and defenders competed in high-tempo, game-representative situations; midfielders went head-to-head in transition battles; and goalies faced top-level shots from all angles.

Full-Field Competition

The training session flowed seamlessly into full-field gameplay— the ultimate stage for players to display their athleticism, transition speed, and lacrosse IQ. Half the group competed in a full-length showcase game while the other half joined a live Q&A panel with college coaches, gaining insight into recruiting, player development, and life at the next level.

The gameplay was fast, physical, and highly skilled—highlighting the nation’s premier talent executing the same principles refined in the morning.

Afternoon Competition

After lunch, the event concluded with an intense small-sided tournament featuring 16 teams. Each mini-game included specific constraints designed to test creativity, teamwork, and adaptability under pressure. The format encouraged quick decision-making, smart ball movement, and team-first play—mirroring the modern college game.

For the Open Series evaluation team, this setting revealed who was truly coachable, who applied learned concepts in real time, and who elevated those around them.

Below is a list of standout performers and specialty award winners.

⭐️ 2027-2029 Players That Impressed ⭐️

Addison Ahmuty- 2028, Midfield, Jesters Kelsey Ambrosio- 2027, Midfield, FLG Mackenzie Anderson- 2029, Defense, Jesters Addison Andria- 2028, Defense, Yellow Jackets Sophie Angelo- 2029, Attack, Jesters Isabella Antonetti- 2029, Midfield, Jesters Clara Aschenbach- 2029, Midfield, Heros Ella Bacallao- 2028, Goalie, Prime Time   Abigail Bauer- 2028, Midfield, Yellow Jackets Tess Beaudet- 2028, Defense, Liberty Maura Beckwith- 2028, Attack, Monster Elite Bryce Birkholz- 2028, Midfield, Eagle Stix Jillian Black- 2028, Defense, Yellow Jackets

Rebecca Blaum- 2029, Attack, Sharpshooters

Clara Bridge- 2028, Attack, Shipyard

Camryn Bruckner- 2028, Midfield, Legacy

Juliet Bruno- 2029, Attack, Sound Lax

Emma Brusate- 2027, Attack, True Colorado 2027 / True National

Sienna Bruschi- 2028, Defense, Compass Lacrosse

Payton Brzeski- 2029, Defense, Yellow Jackets

Sophia Caramico- 2029, Midfield, Igloo

Elle Carrara- 2029, Defense, Team 91

Brinn Castrechini- 2028, Attack, Aces Elite

Austyn Cerasi- 2029, Attack, CT Grizzlies

Lila Choi- 2029, Attack, Igloo

Anastasia Cirone- 2028, Goalie, Top Guns

Hadley Clough- 2029, Defense, CT Grizzlies

Marlee Cohen- 2029, Midfield, Tradition

Apollonia Cortese- 2028, Midfield, Alliance National

Emma Cregan- 2028, Attack, BBL

Sinead Davenport- 2029, Midfield, CT Grizzlies

Luca Diehl- 2028, Midfield, Eagle Stix

Ainsley Dircks- 2028 Defense, Jesters

Avery Ellis- 2028, Midfield, Ultimate Carolina

Sophia Enea- 2029, Midfield, Yellow Jackets

Taylor Ennis-Chinn- 2029, Midfield, Monster Elite

Taylor Errante- 2029, Defense, Monster Elite

Stella Fallon- 2029, Goalie, Jesters

Katie Farrer- 2028, Midfield, Liberty

Cassidy Ferrara- 2029, Midfield, Yellow Jackets

Kloe Ferreri- 2028, Attack, Yellow Jackets

Elizabeth Ferris- 2028, Defense, M&D Orlando

Olivia Field- 2029, Goalie, Compass

Phoebe Fisher- 2029, Defense, Yellow Jackets North

Addison Fitzgerald- 2028, Midfield, BBL

Giuliana Flores- 2029, Defense, Jesters

Addison Fox- 2029, Attack, Team 91

 

Lainie Friedman- 2029, Attack, Yellow Jackets

Savannah Fryzel- 2028, Midfield, M&D Orlando

Fabiana Gallagher- 2028, Attack, Yellow Jackets

Thea Gallinaro- 2028, Attack, Yellow Jackets

Lily Gentile- 2029, Goalie, Team 91

Madelyn Kate Gersmehl- 2028, Defense, Eagle Stix

Gianna Giambone- 2029, Attack, Yellow Jackets

Sophia Giangreco- 2027, Goalie, Legacy

Lila Gilbart- 2028, Attack, Prime Time

Lucia Gionfriddo- 2028, Midfield, NXT

Kylie Gorman- 2029, Midfield, Jesters

 

Michaela Grever- 2029, Attack, Team 91

Scarlett Gristina- 2028, Goalie, Yellow Jackets North

Kayla Grochow- 2028, Midfield, Yellow Jackets

Fiona Haddock- 2029, Midfield, Yellow Jackets

Martha Hall- 2028, Midfield, Alliance

Reese Halliday- 2028, Attack, Yellow Jackets

Addison Held- 2028, Attack, FLG

Paige Hill- 2028, Midfield, Coppermine

Ava Hunter- 2028, Midfield, Centercourt Lacrosse Club

Coco Inglis- 2028, Attack, Compass

Tatum Irwin- 2028, Attack, 180 Elite

Narjis Jalal- 2029, Goalie, Team 180

Maya Kallelis- 2028, Midfield, Jesters

Harper Karp- 2029, Defense, Yellow Jackets

Sophie Kasouf- 2029, Midfield, Team 91

Caroline Katula- 2028, Midfield, Eagle Stix

Lilly Kavanagh- 2028, Defense, Liberty

Harper Kleet- 2029, Defense, Yellow Jackets

Reagan LaLota- 2029, Defense, Yellow Jackets

Grace Laura- 2029, Defense, Jesters

Emma Lembo- 2028, Defense, FLG

Olivia Leopardi- 2029, Midfield, Yellow Jackets

Olivia Leslie- 2029, Midfield, CT Grizzlies

Natalie Levy- 2028, Attack, ADK Peak

Alexandra Lizza- 2029, Attack, Jesters

Isadora Lomedico- 2029, Midfield, Orange Crush

Karstyn LoRusso- 2029, Midfield, Yellow Jackets

Brigid Loughlin- 2028, Midfield, Top Guns

MK Gersmehl- 2028, Defender, Eaglestix

Katy Lourenco- 2029, Midfield, Yellow Jackets

Ellie MacQuarrie- 2029, Midfield, Jesters

Nicole Manolakes- 2029, Attack, Yellow Jackets

Elizabeth Ferris-2028, Defense, M&D Orlando

Rose Marczyk- 2029, Midfield, Atlantic County Wave

Taylor Martin- 2028, Attack, Coppermine

Sloane Massa- 2029, Attack, Monster Elite

Stefani Mastrogiovanni- 2029, Midfield, Legacy

Natalie Mastropietro- 2028, Midfield, ADK Peak

Harper Maurer- 2028, Defense, Freestyle

Emily McDonald- 2029, Defense, Tradition

Caileigh McDonough- 2028, Midfield, Tradition

Tess McGuire – 2028, Defense, Jesters

Molly McNamara- 2029, Midfield, Yellow Jackets

Alice Meaney- 2029, Attack, Jesters

Indy Messett- 2028, Midfield, Texas Nationals

Sydney Millett- 2028, Goalie, Yellow Jackets

Maddie Moran- 2028, Midfield, Hero’s

Caroline Morrison- 2028, Goalie, CT Grizzlies

Lauren Mortimer- 2028, Midfield, BBL

Lunna Murphy- 2027, Midfield, AFA Lacrosse

Noelle Napolitano- 2028, Defense, Yellow Jackets

Avery Needle- 2029, Attack, Yellow Jackets

Millie Nemser- 2028, Attack, Compass Lacrosse

Becca Newell- 2028, Midfield, All Lax Select

Lila Newman- 2029, Attack, Jesters

Alyse Nicholas- 2029, Defense, Yellow Jackets

Zoe Nolan- 2028, Attack, Legacy

Vanessa Novelli- 2029, Defense, Team 91

Caitlin Oliver- 2028, Attack, Yellow Jackets

Summer O’Neill- 2029, Defense, Yellow Jackets

Riley Ortolano- 2028, Attack, Liberty

Shannon O’Shea- 2029, Midfield, Jesters

Keira Pellizzi- 2029, Midfield, Team 91

 

Madison Prouty- 2029, Attack, Laxachusetts

Hadley Ramirez- 2028, Attack, Prime Time

Josie Rebuth- 2029, Midfield, Igloo

Marley Read- 2028, Attack, Eagle Stix

Averie Rissland- 2029, Goalie, Igloo

Jordin Rosga- 2028, Attack, Yellow Jackets

Bianca Scalzo- 2028, Goalie, CLC Elite

Haley Schlafman- 2028, Attack, CT Grizzlies

Ella Schopp- 2029, Attack, Yellow Jackets

Evelyn Skop- 2027, Attack, Lax on Elite

Ainsley Shissler- 2028, Midfield, NXT

Elle Sipress- 2029, Attack, Yellow Jackets

Hannah Sliwak- 2028, Attack, Jesters

Bella Smith- 2028, Attack, Texas Nationals

Casey Smolick- 2029, Midfield, CT Grizzlies

Madison Spinella- 2028, Goalie, Jesters

Vivienne Stramara- 2028, Defense, Steps NJ

Holly Sullivan- 2029, Midfield, Top Guns

Avery Tamberrino- 2028, Attack, CT Grizzlies

Daniella Tofano- 2029, Midfield, Jesters

Brooke Valentine- 2029, Midfield, Team 91

Layton Vanek- 2028, Midfield, South Coast Lacrosse

Sophie Vittengl- 2029, Attack, Albany Power

Kate Wable- 2029, Midfield, CT Grizzlies

Chandler Wagner- 2028, Defense, CT Grizzlies

Brynna Walsh- 2029, Midfield, Monster Elite

Heidi Wanamaker- 2029, Primte Time

Stella Warren- 2029, Defense, Grit

Alice Westfall- 2029, Defense, Team 91

Grace Wheeler- 2029, Attack, Tradition

Riley Williams- 2029, Midfield, Team 91

Olivia Wong- 2029, Midfield, Jesters

Rachel Wood- 2028, Goalie, Charlotte Style

Maddox Woreth- 2028, Defense, Yellow Jackets

Amzy Zanauskas- 2028, Midfield, Laxachusetts

Denotes award winners 

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2028 Award Winners

Ella Bacallao (Great Wall Award) Definitely ready for prime time, Bacallao turned heads on Sunday with her athletic stops, engaging personality and silky outlet passes. Bacallao is the full package in looking for an elite goalie. With her ability to save all different types of shots, against all different types of shooters. Ella will always give your defense a chance to get a stop. So excited to track Ella through her sophomore campaign into the prestigious 2026 Juniors Open. Maura Beckwith (Golden Hands Award) Beckwith is a human highlight reel when the rock is in her possession. A true playmaker with unreal skill. Catching bad passes, stinging corners on the run, and terrorizing defenses with little time or space, Beckwith is an elite lefty attacker. What makes Beckwith so dangerous is her ability to not only create on the left side, but her ability to make defenses move when she attacks from X. Her vision and ability to score off the dodge, makes her nothing short of lethal when the ball is in her stick. Maura leaves coaches and spectators saying “I want to see more”. Bryce Birkholz (Grit Queen Award) Birkholz proved she was the queen of grit on Sunday. After taking a shot on the run to her goggles in the AM, Birkholz had a pit stop with the trainer and immediately dropped 3 highlight reel goals in the early afternoon scrimmage Birkholz is as smooth as they come! – Unreal handle with both hands, an insane amount of grit and crazy ability to find the back of the net, Bryce would thrive in any offense. Lila Gilbart (Dime Machine Award) Lyla Gilbart was sensational on Sunday. Gilbart creates advantages at will through her dynamic dodging, ridiculous reads, and pinpoint passes. Gilbart was consistently making great decisions with the ball in her stick, making her the ideal quarterback of your offense. The most underrated part of Gilbart’s game is her tenacity on the ride. An athletic, disciplined attacker in the ride, Gilbart was constantly turning back defenders and doing her job. What a fun player to watch and track into 2026. Lucia Gionfriddo (Hard Hat Award) Gionfriddo embodied the spirit of grit and determination earning the Charlie Hustle Award for her relentless effort and nonstop energy. As a midfielder, she was everywhere on the field — battling for ground balls, locking in on defense, and sparking transitions. The intensity, heart, and willingness to do the dirty work made Gionfriddo an invaluable teammate and a true difference-maker. Lilly Kavanagh (Dawg Award) Lilly Kavanaugh was an absolute dawg on defense, locking down opponents with her toughness and relentless intensity. She brought physicality and focus to every matchup, winning one-on-ones and causing turnovers all weekend long. Kavanaugh displayed grit, communication, and a tenacious style of play which set the tone and made her one of the most reliable stoppers on the field. Taylor Martin (Deception Award) Martin is a natural quarterback on the field. Her vision, toughness and decision making make her someone others rely on to run the offense. Her skill and savvy with the rock makes her a unique recruit in the 2028 class. Her ability to know when to attack the goal and when to dish to open teammates in uncanny. Excited to see more of Martin at Juniors Open! Maddie Moran (Swiss Army Knife Award) It’s one thing to be good at everything, but it’s another to be very good at everything. Moran is one of the most balanced players in her class, proving to be lethal in every aspect of her game. From showcasing elite speed up the field to not knowing which is her dominate hand, Moran has so many tools in her belt. After a break-out freshman year for her Varsity Maryvale team, to jumping onto the scene this fall – there are so many bright spots ahead for Moran’s lacrosse career. Jordin Rosga (Welles Crowther Award) Attack is a position that typically gets the goals and the glory. For Rosga, she would rather give than receive. A team first, help your team finish first type of kid, Rosga is a fierce facilitator on the offensive end. One of her best attributes is giving her team the ability to win the possession battle through her 3 P’s: poise, patience and ability to handle pressure. So much upside for Rosga because of her winning qualities and team first mentality. Sienna Bruschi (Work Horse Award) Bruschi was a beast on the defensive end all day. She was relentless getting her hands on people, doing a nice job taking away the middle. He relentless nature on ball resulted in some pretty caused turnovers and GB’s leading to transition goals. Ainsley Shissler (Messi Award) A force to be reckoned with Shissler showcased her elite finishing ability and natural scoring touch. She found the back of the net from every angle — dodging with confidence, shooting with precision, and capitalizing on every opportunity. Shissler’s offensive instincts and ability to take over games made her one of the most dangerous players on the field all weekend long. Amzy Zanauskas (Mood Booster Award) Every championship team has a personality that is positive, courageous and enthusiastic. Amzy Zukauskas is one-of-one. Aside from her overall good vibes, her intangibles include unrelenting effort and a positive attitude towards her teammates. Amzy makes spectators and coaches alike want to watch more. We are thrilled to track Amzy over the course of her recruiting process. Apollonia Cortese (Gretzky Award) Apple is the type of player that makes those around her better. She dominants all facets of the game with a smile. Her cool and collected demeanor + having that fierce and competitive edge makes her a force on the field. Honored to cover more of this young lady over her recruiting year. Luca Diehl (Party Starter Award) Luca Diehl is like watching poetry in motion. A rare combination of strength, quickness, speed and skill, Luca is a dominant party starter from the midfield. Off the dodge, she not only draw eyes, slides and attention at will, she can manufacture goals too. If you get to know Luca off the field, you will discover she is a selfless, hard-worker southern star who wants to be her best. Simply put, Luca is the real – Diehl.

2029 Award Winners

Sophia Enea (Swiss Army Knife Award) Enea was the definition of versatility, doing it all from start to finish, whether it was pushing the pace in transition, thriving in settled offensive situations and playing lockdown defense. Her work ethic, and ability to impact every phase of the game made her one of the most complete players on the field. Taylor Ennis-Chinn (Hard Hat Award) Taylor turned heads on Sunday with her high motor, tough play off the circle and 110% fight on every play. She is a token two-way midfielder who is developing into being great in all phases of the game. Taylor Errante (Dawg Award) This kid’s a dawg. No other way to put it. An absolute problem on and off-ball for opposing offenses. Errante showcased her elite athleticism by running with top opposing dodgers game after game, and generated so much early offense because of her surgical precision on checks. Olivia Field (Great Wall Award) Field was impressive on Sunday. Her patience, presence and proficient movements in net made it a problem to score goals. In all settings, from training to gameplay, Field impressed. With her combination of quick hands, clean saves and athleticism, Field will undoubtably be a top goalie to watch in the 2029 class. Addison Fox (Eye Popper Award) Fox was unstoppable with her dazzling offensive performance. As an attacker, she combined quick footwork, sharp stick skills, and elite field vision to create scoring chances both for herself and her teammates. She was a model of consistency, had poise under pressure, and displayed the ability to deliver on the big stage proving why she’s among the best in her class. Special thanks to our legendary partner Gait Lacrosse for bringing to life the Open Series events year after year. Learn more by following Gait Lacrosse on Instagram @gaitlaxofficial