New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
GIRLS LACROSSE: 25 CIAC PLAYERS TO WATCH
Kacie Benoit, MF/D, Sr., Darien: The All-State senior provides both lockdown defense and a solid midfield presence for the Blue Wave. She is bound for Syracuse next year.
Elena Bontatibus, Jr., A, Simsbury: The junior was an All-State Class L second-team selection as a sophomore and returns to help lead the Trojans’ attack this spring.
Izzy Casucci, Sr., A, St. Joseph:
The two-year captain has been racking up goals and assists since her freshman season. She’ll be a leader once again for the Cadets before heading to Marquette.
Heather Clark, Jr., MF/D, New Fairfield: The future UMass player is a Rebel leader in the midfield and a solid presence in the defensive backfield.
Bella Crowley, Sr., G, Ridgefield: One of three future Bucknell players on the players to watch list, Crowley gives the Tigers an experienced veteran at a key position.
Bella DiNanno, Jr., MF, Wilton: The junior will help anchor a strong midfield group for the Warriors. She’s committed to Michigan in 2023.
Catherine Dineen, Sr., D, Wilton: With Dineen on defense and Amelia
Hughes in the net, the Warriors’ defense will be tough to crack. The senior will play at Bucknell next year.
Shea Dolce, Sr., G, Darien: The returning AllAmerican has been the Blue Wave’s starting netminder since she was a freshman, when she was named the MVP of the FCIAC championship game. She will play at Boston College next year.
Maddie Epke, Senior,
MF, Guilford: Epke racked up 57 goals, 72 assists and 208 draw controls and was named the SCC’s Division I player of the year last spring. The All-American is an elite player for the Grizzlies as they seek a third SCC title and a repeat Class M crown.
Christina Guanci, Sr., A, Glastonbury: The senior will be a featured player on offense for a Glastonbury team which could headline the CCC North again. She will play at Union College next year.
Kaleigh Harden, Sr., MF, New Canaan: A threesport star for the past four years, Harden is an impact player on both sides of the ball and earned All-American honors as a junior. The GameTimeCT MVP in girls ice hockey this winter, she will join her sister McKenna at North Carolina next year.
Amelia Hughes, Sr., G, Wilton: The veteran is a lockdown goalie for the Warriors, who are clear FCIAC and Class L contenders. She’ll take her talents to Princeton next year.
Chloe Humphrey, Jr., A, Darien: Humphrey was injured for much of last season but returned in the playoffs and helped the Wave win their 19th state championship. She is the No. 1 recruit in the country for the Class of 2023 according to Inside Lacrosse.
Claire Mahoney, Sr., G, New Canaan: The senior led a defense which held every opponent to single digits during a 20-1 season in 2021. A returning AllAmerican,
she’ll play for Brown next spring.
Molly McGuckin, Sr., A, Darien: The All-American collected 51 goals last season and will again be a key part of the Wave’s offensive machine. She will play for Trinity College next year.
Hollis Mulry, Sr., A, New Canaan: Another huge weapon on a deep Rams’ squad. Mulry is a scorer and a distributor with speed. She will play for USC next year.
Juliana Pagano, Sr., MF, Masuk: The veteran middie is the Panthers’ top threat on offense and on draw controls. She will play for Bucknell next season.
Dillyn Patten, Sr., A, New Canaan: The speedy Patten has been a key part of the Rams’ offense since joining the team as a freshman, and scored 50 goals while earning All-American honors last year. She’ll help lead a deep attack before heading to Cornell.
Ava Romanello, Sr., MF, New Fairfield: The senior middie is one of the Rebels’ prime weapons as they seek a fifth straight state crown. She’ll play for Virginia Tech next season.
Payton Root, Soph., A, Guilford: Root burst onto the scene as a freshman last spring and quickly became one of the Grizzlies top scoring threats. She’ll be key in their defense of the SCC Division I and Class M crowns.
Kaleigh Sommers, Jr., MF, Ludlowe: One of the state’s top middies, she led the Falcons with 68 goals and a 70% shooting percentage. She’ll be Ludlowe’s top weapon as it looks to build upon last year’s
breakout campaign.
Ceci Stein, Jr. MF, Darien: The returning middie is coming off a great ice hockey campaign and will be key on both ends of the lacrosse field this spring. She’s bound for Michigan next year.
Elena Sughrue, Sr., A, Newtown: The veteran
attack is a leader on offense as the Nighthawks look to get back to the SWC championship game.
Sydney Widlitz, Sr. G, Guilford:
The Grizzlies’ starting goalie was the MVP of the SCC final as a freshman and has helped Guilford win two conference and one state final in
two seasons. She’ll be a big part of the team’s fortunes again.
Kacie Wines, Sr., A, Daniel Hand: The senior is the Tigers’ top returning scorer and will look to build on a big junior campaign when she helped Hand reach the SCC Division I final.