SCHENECTADY, N.Y. — I got to watch some of the top ‘30s in New England at the Northeast Showcase on Sunday.
It was a busy day, but I caught six ‘30s games at Schalmont Central School.
I’ve already written about the ‘28s, covering offensive and defensive standouts, and yesterday’s story focused on the offensive ‘30s. To wrap up my coverage from the showcase, this story will focus on defensive ‘30s who stood out.
NORTHEAST SHOWCASE STORIES: 15 offensive '28s | 14 defensive '28s | 14 offensive '30s
This is not a comprehensive list of every high-performing defender at the event, but rather the ones that caught my attention during the small sample size I saw.
Without further ado, let’s get into the standouts.
Grace Banning, Laxachusetts Black
Position: D
School: Milton Academy
Banning (Cohasset, Mass.) was impressive on defense in Laxachusetts’ 8-3 win over NH Tomahawks Purple. She was a ground ball machine, scooping up anything that came her way, and caused a few turnovers with successful stick checks. Banning was quick with the ball in possession and had no trouble finding outlet passes.
Louisa Collins, Laxachusetts Yellow
Position: M
Collins made a huge defensive play at the end of Laxachusetts Yellow’s game against Gold Star. Gold Star was awarded a free position with a chance to take the lead in the final minute, but Collins raced in from behind once the whistle blew and knocked the ball loose to preserve a tie. She was solid the rest of the game, doing a good job staying in front of attackers.
Winnie Huddleston, Laxachusetts Black
Position: G
School: Phillips Exeter
Huddleston (Marblehead, Mass.) was a commanding presence in net. She wasn’t called into action too often, but she stayed alert and made solid saves against infrequent attacks. Huddleston’s best stop came against an NH Tomahawks free position.
Virginia Jellison, Mass Elite Red
Position: M
School: Bishop England (S.C.)
Jellison (Charleston, S.C.) caught my attention with her speed and ability to fly around the field. On the defensive end, she stayed in front of attackers, turning them away from goal. On the offensive end, Jellison was an effective cutter who drew defensive attention. Jellison was key in transition, carrying the ball out of the defensive area and slowing down HHH Philly attacks.
Giuliana Meadows, Laxachusetts Black
Position: M
School: Masters Academy International
Meadows (Longmeadow, Mass.) controlled the midfield in a win over NH Tomahawks. She flew around the field, tracking back to cause turnovers or slow down the opposing rush. NH Tomahawks had trouble building out of the back, and each time, Meadows was glued to an opponent. Meadows also impressed with the ball in her stick, easily running past players to set up offensive opportunities.
Alice Milburn, Mass Elite Blue
Position: D
School: Lincoln-Sudbury (Mass.)
Milburn (Sudbury, Mass.) kept everything in front of her in the part of the game I saw against Laxachusetts West. She was also strong carrying the ball upfield, looking poised and unaffected by opposing pressure.
Charlotte “Charli” Mountz, Mass Elite White
Position: M
School: Deerfield Academy
Mountz (Lincoln, Mass.) was relentless defensively in Mass Elite White’s 11-4 victory against Granite State Elite. On one play in the first half, a GSE attacker tried to create in isolation, and Mountz stayed with her for 30-plus seconds with constant pressure before eventually knocking the ball loose. That relentless, high-pressure defense continued throughout the rest of the contest, with GSE players unable to get by. Mountz was also strong on the draw.
Margaret Musoke, Gold Star
Position: G
School: Northfield Mount Hermon
Musoke (Ashland, Mass.) made a few masterful point-blank saves in Gold Star’s 6-6 tie against Laxachusetts Yellow. In the first half, she went to ground to stop a bouncer aimed between her wickets. A play later, she came off her line and got big to prevent a goal on a one-on-one chance. She made a wild stick save in the second half, denying a powerful shot from just five feet away. Musoke’s reflexes were impressive.
Theodora Patrinos, Mass Elite Red
Position: M
School: Nobles
Patrinos scooped more ground balls than any other player during Mass Elite's 7-7 tie against HHH Philly. She was a two-way midfielder who was everywhere, factoring into the attack and then tracking back to disrupt play on the other end.
Hayden Schmitt, Mass Elite Red
Position: D
School: Wellesley (Mass.)
Schmitt was incredibly reliable on the defensive end against HHH Philly. She kept players in front and caused a turnover late in the second half, knocking the ball away from an attacker who was cutting inside. In the first half, she carried the ball away from pressure effectively as Mass Elite killed time while on a player disadvantage.
