Top Lax Recruits
Top Lax Recruits -
By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 7/19/18
FREDERICA, Del. – Marissa Cuevas said competing in the National Lacrosse Classic has been the highlight of her summer for the second straight year.
“I like the coaches and staff and it’s really organized and the group of girls I play with are phenomenal,” said the 2019 goalie from Sachem East and Team Metro NY. “We play together like we have been playing together for years.
“It’s one of my favorite tournaments. I have been looking forward to it all summer and I am happy I am here.”
Cuevas was a standout Wednesday in the Girls’ 2019 All-Star Game at the NLC, making 5 saves and allowing just two goals for the American team. Her Team Metro squad went 4-0 in Pool Play and defeated Florida this morning in the quarterfinals and will face New England in the semifinals at 10 a.m.
“We are really not forcing any bad turnovers or bad passes,” Cuevas said. “We settle the ball, give it a ride and look for the open player. It’s been working out pretty well.”
Cuevas is not committed but getting close to a college decision. “I am sill looking around at a couple schools in Massachusetts and down South. I am keeping my options open to see what comes around. I will commit soon and pick the right school.”
Vienna Iacona, a 2019 goalie from 10-time state champion Cape Henlopen-DE and Team Delaware, had seven stops and allowed just one goal for the American squad. She is happy Delaware is now the host state for the NLC.
“I like it because it brings a lot of exposure to Delaware,” said the Widener commit. “People don’t always associate lacrosse with Delaware and it’s great to see this and for the future. It’s a great opportunity and I wanted to play at a high level after the summer season was over.”
Iacona, who runs a 4-7 40-yard dash, said her Delaware team, which fell to New England in the quarterfinals, exceeded expectations, “We have a lot of younger players – there are only two 2019s on the team – so I have been showing them how to cut hard to get clears.”
Another goalie standout in the 2019 game was Ally Weneta of Team Carolina and Roanoke Hidden Valley (VA). She had four saves and allowed no goals in the second half, helping Team National win, 3-2.
“I tried out last year for Virginia and didn’t make it, but really wanted to play this year so I went out for the North Carolina team,” said the Shippensburg commit, “We (Team Carolina) didn’t win a game but we’re all getting along really well and we we all want each other to succeed.
“We got better and better every game and everyone had a common factor of loving lacrosse and we are grateful to be here. I was talking to my dad in the car early in the day about how much fun I have had. I have met such great people and had such a good experience and seen so much talent. You can tell everyone here cares about the game and about other people’s success.”
In the girls’ 2020-2021 All-Star Game, the National team (all players highlighted here were on the team) won, 11-5.
Caroline “Sharky” Ramsey, 2020 DEF, Team Wisconsin, Carmel High-IN
On competing with Team Wisconsin: “We played really well together. We only won one game, but we’re really working well together and even though everyone is from everywhere BUT Wisconsin, especially on defense, we are really communicating well out here and having fun and laying hard.”
On the All-Star Game experience: “I think the big thing is there were no ball hogs. Even on Team Wisconsin, we have worked well with no one person stealing the spotlight.”
Caroline Stole, 2020 Goalie, Team Maryland, Roland Park Country School-MD
On the team’s success in the All-Star Game: “It went ping, ping, ping, ping, ping and into the goal. It was great.”
On her Maryland team’s performance: “We went 2-2 and and we are doing well. It’s really nice to work with different defenders. The defense has to play as a unit and that’s a challenge of our communication skills, more for me since I am the one that sees it all. I had to communicate to the entire team. It’s really good learning.”
Katie Walsh, 2020 ATT, Team New Jersey, Camden Catholic-NJ
On her team’s success (NJ fell to PA in the quarterfinals this morning): “For an attacker, we have worked well together in seeing each other and opening up the field.”
Noelle Demarinis, 2021 MF, Team Metro New York, Somers High -NY
On her team’s success (4-0 start): “We’ve really meshed and worked together so well. We are looking for each other constantly; there are no ballhogs. We have known each other 2 days and I feel like we are a family. It’s been amazing and a great experience. It’s my first year and as a rising sophomore I haven’t had as much experience as the older girls. I am looking at them as role models to me.”
Boys
The National squad won, 10-4, as Tommy Bloom (2019 ATT, Team Delaware, Sanford School) had three goals as Lee Rock (2021 MF, Team Maryland, Archbishop Curley-MD) and Ben Takata (2020 MF, Team Colorado, Ralston Valley-CO) each added a pair.
Max Kruszeski, 2019 MF, Long Island, Southold High-NY
On why his Long Island team is undefeated: “When everyone comes together and buys into the team with guys you don’t really know, everything click and it’s fun lacrosse.”
On competing at the NLC and the All-Star Game (which had 36 college coaches along on the sidelines): “It’s great getting the play with different kids and meeting a lot of new people. It’s a good skill to have. It’s great lacrosse and good exposure.”
Logan Covey, 2020 goalie, Team Pennsylvania, Westminster High-MD
On competing in the NLC: “It’s awesome just playing with great players. Every team had studs; some are committed and some are not.”
On his team’s chances in the playoffs: “Our only loss is to Long Island (9-5 on the first day). He had to get to know each other. We just need to talk more.”
Tommy Bloom, 2019 ATT, Team Delaware, Sanford School-DE
On why he is competing as a committed player (Delaware): “I came because my high school coach is helping to run it. All my buddies are playing and it’s a great opportunity.”
On what’s special about the tourney: “We are able to play kids from all over the country – Ontario and Minnesota and other areas – and when you play people from all over you are seeing the way they play. Someone from the West Coast doesn’t play the way they play on the East Coast.”
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