The 2024 girls’ lacrosse season featured more twists and turns than the Nurburgring, more highs and lows than a Wagner opera, and considerably more entertainment than reality television.
Because, in 50-minute segments in America over about 15 weeks, groups of stick-wielding players engaged in a ritual which echoes back a millennium to when First Nations peoples engaged in contests in open fields between settlements.
Here are our best games of the 2024 scholastic season:
10. Darien (Conn.) 5, New Canaan (Conn.) 5, 2OT
April 25, 2024
Regular-season game
After 56 minutes of top-level lacrosse, the players were ready to continue, but the rulesmakers were not. The game ended in a draw owing to CIAC rules preventing teams from going into another overtime period
9. Brooklandville St. Paul’s School for Girls (Md.) 7, Owings Mills McDonogh (Md.) 6
May 10, 2024
IAAM Class A final
The Gators had to have felt a bit wounded after an April in which they lost four games, including a defeat to McDonogh in the regular-season finale. But less than two weeks later, St. Paul’s was able to best the Eagles. On the final chance for McDonogh, SPSG goalie Susan Radebaugh’s sprawling save on Kate Levy presearved a late lead
8. Rosemont Agnes Irwin (Pa.) 11, Newtown Square Episcopal Academy (Pa.) 10, 3 OT
April 18, 2024
Regular-season game
In a wild back-and-forth match, it was Catie Holmes who was the difference for Agnes Irwin on an 8-meter free-position conversion. Agnes Irwin was led by Ellie Brady with four goals
7. Washington Immaculate Heart Academy (N.J.) 12, Ridgewood (N.J.) 11
May 11, 2024
Bergen County Tournament
How about this for a storyline? Ridgewood, a school which has made its name on the boys’ side of lacrosse, had built itself into a powerhouse side which had won 18 straight county titles, the last two under head coahc Jim Montegari. But IHA, coached by his wife Sue, came out on top in this final thanks to a five-goal first quarter
6. Cicero-North Syracuse (N.Y.) 12, Fairport (N.Y.) 8
June 8, 2024
NYSPHSAA Class A Final
The last time Cicero-North Syracuse had won a state championship in girls’ lacrosse, there were no hard boundaries on the field of play, players had to stay where they were in dead ball situations, and the clock stopped on all whistles in the final two minutes of play. C-NS and Fairport were tied at the end of three quarters, but the Northstars were able to put it all together in the final term to win its first championship since 1996
5. Cincinnati Walnut Hills (Ohio) 12, Springboro (Ohio) 11
May 20, 2024
OHSAA Division I octofinal
Springboro, paced by all-time great Caroline Ling, was in the headwaters with Walnut Hills before Lauren Christy scored from a deep angle on the left side of the arc in the final second of play to send the Eagles into the state quarterfinal round
4. Owings Mills McDonogh (Md.) 5, Darien (Conn.) 4
April 13, 2024
Regular-season game
Lela Green’s late steal and score with under three minutes to go in regulation not only gave McDonogh the win, it also halted Darien’s 27-game winning streak
3. Tredyffrin Conestoga (Pa.) 5, Manheim (Pa.) Township 4, 2 OT
June 11, 2024
PIAA Class AAA semifinal
Ellie Wisch found herself with the ball in her stick at key junctures late, and scored the important goals. She finished with 1:42 in regulation to tie the score at 4-4, then had the overtime game-winner
2. Wilmette Loyola Academy (Ill.) 10, Winnetka New Trier (Ill.) 9, 4 OT
May 24, 2024
IHSA octofinal
Keira Cushing had the final goal for the Ramblers in the fourth stanza of extra time. The goal capped off a late comeback, as the Trevians had held an 8-6 lead under the eight-minute mark
1. South Huntington St. Anthony’s (N.Y.) 5, Darien (Conn.) 4, 3 OT
April 18, 2024
Regular-season game
The game was a cagey affair, with only four goals scored per side during the contest. Three of St. Anthony’s goals were scored by Tess Calabria, the last of which was a behind-the-back gem to level the match late on. In the third overtime period, it was a cross-field pass from Kate Rathjen to the right elbow and Brooke Long finished to give the Friars the win
