Florida's Top 30 Women in Division 1 Lacrosse for 2024!
Welcome to today's post!
Author’s Note: A few items that came up in the Men’s post:
A few asked about Jack Dowd; this is a Division 1 list and Jack was a D3 player. He’s transferred to Maryland for his senior year for 2025. Would I love to do D3 too? Sure, if I had the extra month! There are 249 Men’s D3 programs and more on the Women’s side. And don’t forget NAIA and the MCLA/WCLA club programs. That’s why I rely on the readers to send in info when a Floridian is featured at the D3 level.
This is for 2024 ONLY, based on my diving into all the players (107 Men were considered, on 74 teams) resumes and judging their effectiveness. Previous years/career stats ARE NOT CONSIDERED.
I was asked about ‘giving a little love’ to a few players who were not in the previous article; remember that the ENTIRE list of players was reviewed and posted in earlier Substack posts, which happened on a conference-by-conference approach.
There were a few players from previous seasons that made the 2022 and/or 2023 lists, but did not produce like in the past, whether for injury or lack of playing time. It will be the same with the Women. For example, Navy’s Ava Yovino was injured and missed the year.
It was not difficult to differentiate between where the Top 20 began and the Honorable Mentions for the Men. This is NOT the case with the Women. There were far more major impact players among the Women than the Men, partly due to a bigger pool (116 Women on 127 teams). Yes, there are FIFTY-FOUR more D1 Women’s programs than Men and that didn’t include USF and FSU.
Where there is a difference is that 59 Women’s programs did not have a player from Florida, while only 31 Men’s teams had the same.
It was a BANNER YEAR for our Women, far more so than our Men, as you will see. Even with 30, there are plenty of honorable mentions worthy of recognition.
*****
Remember, I am looking to build up my database of info; coaches, please email me at lee@floridalacrossenews.com with social media of the school and yourself, phone number, direct email and Club data too!
#TAFTAG
#LayOffTheRefs
#FloridaRising
#LacrosseFanandDamnProudOfIt
#StopYellingWard
#AcknowledgeFloridaLacrosse
*****
And here we are, the Top 30 Women in D1 Lacrosse from Florida!
Honorable Mentions (in no particular order):
Lauren Figas - Louisville - Stoneman Douglas
Anna Taraboletti - Vanderbilt - Ponte Vedra
Mia Caro - George Washington - Palm Beach Central
Sara Sproles - Queens - Winter Park
Molly O’Donnell - Queens - South Fork
Sara Freeman - Stetson - Lake Highland Prep
Isabella Fernandez - Stetson - IMG
Grace Gibson - Furman - Lake Highland Prep
Molly Faul - Furman - IMG
Grace Herrero - Winthrop - Bishop Moore
Ella Bartlett - Wofford - St Thomas Aquinas
Casey Roberts - Ohio State - American Heritage-Delray
Justyce Barber - William & Mary - Berkeley Prep
Chloe Perini - Willaim & Mary - Bishop Moore
Cami Donadio - Yale - Bishop Moore
Keeley Cleeland - Arizona State - Episcopal School
Ella Bishara - Colgate - Pine Crest
*****
#30t - Ainsley Huizenga - William & Mary - American Heritage-Delray
Senior Ainsley Huizenga started all 17 games on attack for William & Mary, putting up 13G, 8A, 3 GBs, 1 CTO and 45 DCs in a versatile role. Her biggest game was the 3G/2A/1 GB/1 CTO/4 DCs against East Carolina and she added 2G/2A versus Elon. Her highs for DCs were 6 against Campbell and 5 against Monmouth.
#30t - Payton Wainman - Penn State - American Heritage-Delray
Sophomore Payton Wainman started 12 of the 14 games she played in, and produced 12G, 8A, 12 GBs, 1 CTO and 3 DCs. Her highlights included a 4G/2 GB game against Cornell, 3G/1A versus Pittsburgh and 1G/2A against Princeton.
#29 - Katherine Prentice - Xavier - Steinbrenner
Freshwoman Katherine Prentice started 9 of the games she played, and produced 15G, 3A, 14 GBs, 4 CTOs and 21 DCs. The game-by-game breakdown does not show everything together, so here’s my best shot: 4G/1A versus Presbyterian, 2G, 4 GBs, 2 CTOs against Akron and 3G/4 DCs versus Radford.
#28 - Tristen Chang - Duquesne - Viera
Grad Student Tristen Chang started 9 of the 17 games she played in and contributed 12G, 9A, 17 GBs, 7 CTOs and 15 DCs as a middie. 3 3-point games, with 2G/1A each against George Washington and La Salle plus 1G/2A/2 GBs/1 CTO/4 DCs versus Richmond were highlights.
#27 - Taylor McClain - Bucknell - Pine Crest
Senior Taylor McClain started 13 or the 15 games she played for the Bison, and put together a 7G, 16A, 6 GBs, 1CTO and 2 DCs. Her highlights included a 3G/3A outburst against Boston University, 1G/3A against Colgate and 3A versus St Bonaventure.
#26 - Kate Vanderlinde - Mercer - Creekside
Graduate Senior Kate Vanderlinde started 19 of the 20 games she played in at goal for the Bears, ending with a 12-5 record, with a 40.2% save percentage, while adding 22 GBs and 3 CTOs. Her big games included 15 saves versus both Davidson and Notre Dame (3 GBs too), and 13 saves 3 more times.
#25 - Hanna Hilcoff - Clemson - Benjamin
Senior Hanna Hilcoff saw a shift in her role and fell off in points, but still showed a versatility, with 16G, 6A, 4 GBs, 3 CTOs and 33 DCs for the Tigers in 14 games. Her highlights included a 4G/2A game against Queens, a hat trick versus Louisville and a 4G game in her finale against Notre Dame. She had a 10 DC game against Coastal Carolina.
#24 - Meredith Leavell - Detroit-Mercy - IMG
Senior goalie Meredith Leavell started 1ll 18 games for Detroit-Mercy, putting up an impressive save percentage of 46.8% for the 6-12 Titans, adding 31 GBs and 3 CTOs. 9 of those GBs came against Eastern Michigan. 18 saves versus Central Michigan and 17 against Butler led a total of 10 games she hit double digits.
#23 - Kylie Hazen - Georgetown - American Heritage-Delray
Senior Kylie Hazen started all 18 games for the Hoyas, and put up 18G, 22A, 10 GBs, 1 CTO and 4 DCs. Highlights include 3G/3A against Monmouth, 3G/2A versus American, 2G/2A versus Butler and 1G/3A games against both Johns Hopkins and Towson.
#22 - Sandy Edwards - Central Michigan - Jensen Beach
Senior middie Sandy Edwards started 14 of the 18 games she played for the Chippewas, and produced 25G, 4A, 11 GBs, 11 CTOs and 9 DCs in an all-around performance. Her highlights include a 4G game against Youngstown State, 3G/1A versus Akron and hat tricks against Detroit-Mercy and Eastern Michigan.
#21 - Lily Valentini - Army - Benjamin
Junior attacker Lili Valentini started all 17 games for Army and put up 22G, 8A, 13 GBs, 6 CTOs and 2 DCs. Very consistent, as she was held pointless only one time. Hat trick against Hofstra, 2G/1A versus both USC and Stanford, plus 5 other 2-goal efforts, plus 5 GBs against Rutgers among her productive outings.
#20 - Joy Coffee - High Point - Vero Beach
Redshirt sophomore goalie Joy Coffee started all 18 games for High Point, and went 11-5 with a save percentage of 36.2%, adding 24 GBs and 5 CTOs as part of a timeshare, with one full game against Campbell. Due to the share, double these save numbers in your mind: 8 against Duke and Campbell, 7 against UNC and 6 versus Harvard.
#19 - Chloe Provenzano - Harvard - American Heritage-Delray
Senior goalie Chloe Provenzano started all 15 games for the Crimson and went 10-5, with a save percentage of 42.2%, adding 20 GBs and 2 CTOs. 8 of those GBs came in a 2-goal loss to Duke, which also saw here with 10 saves. Top games included 15 saves against Brown and 14 versus VCU.
#18 - Allegra Catalano - Louisville - American Heritage-Delray
Graduate Senior attacker Allegra Catalano started 18 of 19 games for the Cardinals and put up a stat line of 23G, 6A, 10 GBs, 6 CTOs and 3 DCs. Highlights include 4-goal games against both Colorado and Cincinnati and a 3G/2A game versus Ohio State.
#17 - Katie Kornacki - Stetson - Flagler Palm Coast
Senior attacker/middie Katie Kornacki stated 12 of the 13 games she played for the Hatters, putting up 22G, 5A, 14 GBs, 10 CTOs and 70 DCs for a well-rounded season. Highlights include 5G/2 DCs against Queens, 3G/1A/7 DCs versus Youngstown State, 1G/1A/5 GBs and 7 DCs versus NIA. Hit a high of 11 DCs against Liberty.
#16 - Caroline Stefans - Navy - St Thomas Aquinas
Senior defender Caroline Stefans had quiet a year, making the All-Patriot 1st Team, All-Tournament Team and was named Defender of the Week 3 times, befitting her 30 GBs, 21 CTOs and 14 DC season, where she started all 19 games. Very balanced, as she had 6 games of 3 GBs, with a number of those games also showing 2 or 3 CTOs, with a 3/3 effort against Drexel.
#15 - Alex Gladding - Vanderbilt - Pine Crest
Sophomore defender Alex Gladding started all 17 games for Vanderbilt, putting up 28 GBs, 17 CTOs and 3 DCs. She gathered at least 1 GB in every game. Some of her big games were 1 GB/4 CTOs versus Central Michigan, 4 GBs, 1 CTO and 1 DC versus Old dominion and 3 GBs/1 CTO against Kennesaw State. Inside Lacrosse named her an Impact Freshman in the middle of the season.
#14 - Skylar Simmonds - UMass - Oxbridge
Graduate Senior attacker Skylar Simmonds started the first 7 games of 16 and put up 29G, 17A, 13 GBs, 4 CTOs and 7 DCs. She failed to score a goal only twice. Some big performances include a 5G/3 GB game against George Mason, 2G/4A/3 GBs versus George Washington and 4G/1A against Richmond. She added 4 4-point games beyond that.
#13 - Sami Lowinger - Mercer - Ponte Vedra
Senior attacker Sami Lowinger started 19 of the 20 games she played for the Bears, putting up 25G, 3A, 13 GBs, 3 CTOs and a DC. Her highlights included a 4G/2 GB game against Longwood and a 4G/1 GB game versus High Point. Add 3G/1A versus Coastal Carolina and multiple 2-goal games, including 2G/1A versus Clemson.
#12 - Lexi Johnson - Winthrop - Ponte Vedra
Senior middie Lexi Johnson started all 15 games for Winthrop and put up 23G, 3A, 14 GBs, 10 CTOs and 45 DCs. Unfortunately, Winthrop does not have a game-by-game breakdown, so I only have her summary from her Bio:
Against Stonehill (3/6), she had a season-high six shots on goal, four caused turnovers and four ground balls. Against Wofford (4/10), she had a season-high four goals. Won a season-high six draw controls vs. Furman (4/13)
#11 - Anna Palmisano - Denver - American Heritage-Delray
Senior defender Anna Palmisano made a number of lists last season, IL Midseason AA, Big Eastg 1st Team and All-Tournament Team, USA Lacrosse HM AA and the Tewaaraton Watch List after starting all 20 games and producing 23 GBs and 35 CTOs. Some of her big games were 5 GBs/2 CTOs versus Villanova, 2 GBs/5 CTOs versus Michigan and twice had 4 CTO games, against Northwestern and Ohio State.
#10 - Joslin Hansbury - Campbell - Hagerty
Graduate student Joslin Hansbury started all 17 games for Campbell and produced 31G, 18A, 15 GBs, 8 CTOs and 1 DC. Her biggest game was her 7G/2 GBs/2 CTOs game against Radford and added 4G/2A versus Hofstra. 3G/3A/2 GBs versus Wofford, plus 3 other hat tricks added to her resume. Hit the cage on 80% of her shot attempts.
#9 - Sami Fisher - Elon - Stoneman Douglas
Senior middie Sami Fisher came on strong late in the season, ending up with 37G, 7A, 14 GBS, 5 CTOs and 16 DCs, while starting 16 of 17 games. Her highlights included 5G/2A/1 GB/1 CTO versus East Carolina, and a four-game span where she scored 16 goals, against Campbell, William & Mary, Delaware and Towson. Only once, in the first game, was she held scoreless.
#8 - Jenna Skibbe - Davidson - Lake Mary
Freshwoman attacker Jenna Skibbe, of Davidson, lit it up right away, and earned Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year, even though she only started 9 of the 17 games. The ultimate Cy Young season, as she put up 48G without an assist, 6 GBs, 6 CTOs and 2 DCs. Her highlights included 3 6G games, against Winthrop, La Salle and George Mason, while also scoring 4G 3x versus Stetson, Coastal Carolina and again George Mason.
#7 - Kelly Denes - Notre Dame - Cardinal Newman
Senior Middie/DC Kelly Denes finished her Notre Dame career with a DC % of 61.7, adding 5G, 2A, 16 GBs, 10 CTOs and 149 DCs. She also earned Second Tean All-ACC, was a USA Lacrosse Preseason AA and made the Tewaaraton Watch List. Recorded 16 DCs against Pitt. ND doesn’t break out game-by-game.
#6 - Regan Alexander - Ohio State - Lake Highland Prep
Senior goaltender Regan Alexander started all 17 games for the Buckeyes, putting up a record of 8-8, with a terrific 46.7 save percentage and added 44 GBs and 20 CTOs, a big number for the athletic goalie. A season high of 16 saves versus Denver, with 8 other double digit save games. Was the IWLCA National Defensive Player of the Week and twice was the B1G Ten Defensive Player of the Week.
#5 - Lola Mancuso - Xavier - American Heritage-Plantation
Following her freshwoman year where IL called him one of the impact frosh, Lola Mancuso continued her emergence for Xavier, despite starting just 12 of the 15 games she played. In those games, she put up 41G, 9A, 17 GBs, 14 CTO’s and 27 DCs for the 2nd Team All-B1G East attacker. She scored in every game except one, peaking with a 7G/3A outburst versus Radford, 5G against Butler and 3 more 3G games.
#4 - Liz Harrison - Florida - American Heritage-Delray
Senior Liz Harrison was a big reason for the Florida Gators run to the Final Four and it is easier to just list the accomplishments from her UF bio. 2024 Inside Lacrosse All-American Second Team, 2024 IWLCA All-American Third Team and 2024 USA Lacrosse All-American Honorable Mention.
Started all 23 games as the Gators draw control specialist, totaling 230 draw controls. Her 230 draw controls are a program record and the third most of any division l player in NCAA history. Won 10 or more draw controls in 13 games and 15 or more in four games. Set a program record for most draw controls in a game with 19 on 3/6 against UC Davis. Not bad . . .
#3 - Caitlyn Wurzburger - North Carolina - American Heritage-Delray
What hasn’t been said about Caitlyn? Guess it is now 10 years of coverage for us at FLN!
Senior attacker Caitlyn Wurzburger continued her run of excellence for the Tar Heels, putting up 29G, 21A, 14 GBs, 2 CTOs and 1 DC, while starting all 17 games. A very consistent producer, with one big 3G/4A game against Clemson. The rest of the season showed 2-4 points each game for the most part. 2G/3A versus East Carolina. 11 2-goal games.
#2 - Ainsley Thurston - Queens - Lake Highland Prep
Graduate Student middie Ainsley Thurston started all 17 games for Queens and produced a massive season, with 43G, 8A, 27 GBs, 23 CTOs and 33 DCs. Did she ever come out of the game? Named ASun All-Conference and a Player of the Week Award too. Her consistency was remarkable. Against Liberty, she recorded 4G, 2A, 7 GBs and 5 CTOs, arguably the best all-around game of the year for a Floridian.
#1 - Olivia Adamson - Syracuse - Lake Highland Prep
Someone needs to investigate the lacrosse awarders, as Olivia was frankly punked on postseason honors . . . THIRD TEAM AA from IWLCA and USA Lacrosse, and Inside Lacrosse HM? Seriously? The Syracuse senior attacker put up 58G, 25A, 12 GBs, 7 CTOs and 6 DCs for a Final Four squad, after transitioning from a Middie/DC position.
Six goals against Northwestern, 4G/2A versus Notre Dame, Albany and Louisville. 4G against UVA and 3G/3A versus Stony Brook. 3rd team? HM? Give me a break.
Next Up, the Top Stories for 2024 in Florida Lacrosse . . . and we had a LOT of them!
*****
FHSAA Season Details:
January 20th is the first day of practice
February 3rd-8th for Preseason Classics
February 10th is the first day of the regular season
April 5th is the last day of the regular season
District Tournaments are Wednesday April 9th to Thursday April 17th
Regional Tournaments
Girls
Quarterfinals
Class 2A- Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Class 1A- Friday, April 25, 2025
Semifinals – Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Finals – Friday, May 2, 2025
Boys
Quarterfinals
Class 2A - Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Class 1A - Saturday, April 26, 2025
Semifinals – Wednesday, April 30, 2025
Finals – Saturday, May 3, 2025
*****
FHSAA State Championships
Thursday May 8th – Saturday May 10th
Paradise Sports Complex