Nike/US Lacrosse High School Wrap MIDWEST REGION TOP 10 FINAL GIRLS’
LaxMagazine.com/HSGMW
1. LOYOLA (ILL.) It wasn’t the dominance we’re
used to, but the Ramblers (24-5) still finished with the state title. Maggie Nick (Stanford) departs, but sophomore Brennan Dwyer (81 points, 157 draws) is next in line.
2. SYCAMORE (OHIO) The state champ Aviators
(20-0) scored 14-plus in their last 10 games and got stout performances down the stretch from Kara Marth and goalie Abbie Wise (Dayton).
3. NEW TRIER (ILL.) Senior Charlotte McGuire
Girls’ Player of the Year MAGGIE NICK Loyola (Ill.)
By Jonah Rosenblum Picking a player of the year for an entire region is difficult enough. In this case,
even picking Loyola’s player of the year was nearly impossible. On one hand, you have the freshman, Brennan Dwyer, who was not supposed
to play varsity, leading the entire state of Illinois with 157 draw controls, not to mention two clutch goals late in Loyola’s comeback win over Hinsdale Central (Ill.) in the state semifinals. On the other hand, you have the 2013 Midwest Player of the Year, Maggie Nick,
who excelled off the draw, scored 60 goals and provided leadership during an unusually up-and-down season for Loyola. So who wins? To coach John Dwyer, the choice is easy. It’s Nick. “She was our most valuable player, hands down,” John Dwyer said. “She did
everything for us this year.” Even with Brennan Dwyer, the coach’s daughter, taking the majority of draws, Nick
snared 120 off the circle. She was among the state’s top scorers and was “a really good role model on and off the field,” Brennan Dwyer said. “She’s willing to help with anything.” In the semifinal against Hinsdale Central, which Loyola led for all of four seconds,
Nick caused several timely turnovers. The biggest came with the Ramblers trailing by two. It set up a fast-break score and keyed their comeback. “It was the far end of the field. It was dark out. The lights were on,” John Dwyer
said. “There was a play behind the net. There’s four minutes to go and we’re down two. Somehow, Maggie Nick came up with the ball, and I don’t know how.” In the final against New Trier (Ill.), she took to the ground. “She had four or five ground balls in the state championship game that were
difference makers for us winning the game,” John Dwyer said. The fact that she scored just one goal in each of those games? Irrelevant. “Those were arguably the best games that anyone in our program has ever played,” John Dwyer said. LM
40 LACROSSE MAGAZINE August 2014>>
starred as the Trevians (22- 2-1) had smashing successes and big out-of-state wins, finishing as Illinois’ No. 2 team.
4. HINSDALE CENTRAL (ILL.) The Red Devils (18-3) had another
excellent season, but they were 0-3 against Loyola and New Trier. Kate Christian will play for Mercer University next year.
5. MEDINA (OHIO) The Battling Bees (17-3) did not
allow a single opponent to score in double-digits until the state final. Elena Schorr (Hofstra) starred.
6. MASON (OHIO) Two wins over Upper Arlington
(Ohio) highlighted the 14-6 season with Allie Specht, who heads to Harvard.
7. EAST GRAND RAPIDS (MICH.) The Pioneers (18-2) beat
20-win Okemos by four goals in the state final. Liza Elder has committed to Northwestern.
8. BLAKE (MINN.) The Bears (17-2) earned their fifth
straight crown in their league, kicked off by goals from Olivia Nolan and Lydia Sutton.
9. ARROWHEAD (WISC.) After a tough loss to New Trier, the
Warhawks (20-2) won their next 15 games by an average of 11.2 goals. Kara Vana had a team-high 69 goals.
10. MICDS (MO.) With goalie Ellis Chalfant leading,
the Rams had a perfect 15-0 campaign.
— J.R.
A Publication of US Lacrosse
©JOHN STROHSACKER (MN); ©SYCAMORE
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