Originally Posted by Anonymous
Mid-Season IL Top 15 Freshmen. Very Impressive, Congratulations to all!


Ashley Humphrey, A, Stanford

If any team was going to start a ton of freshmen this season, Stanford was an easy bet. Inside Lacrosse ranked the Cardinal’s incoming class No. 1 in the nation. Humphrey, who redshirted last year, is considered part of that group. She has shown no signs of rust in her first season of competition since her junior year in high school in 2019. Humphrey leads Stanford in points (69) and assists (20) and the nation in assists per game (4.45). She is also second in points per game at 6.27.



Brooklyn Walker-Welch, D, North Carolina

With Boston College within one, the ball in Charlotte North’s stick and 25 seconds left, Brooklyn Walker-Welch caused a turnover that sealed UNC’s win and put them atop the national rankings. It was a senior-style play from a freshman who has carried a heavy load for a Tar Heel defense that had big cleats to fill heading into the season after the graduations of Caroline Wakefield and Catie Woodruff. Add in an injury to Emma Trenchard, and many teams would take a step back — but not a UNC team with depth for days. Having All-American and 2021 Tewaaraton finalist Taylor Moreno in net is, of course, a large part of the Heels’ success, but Walker-Welch’s smart and aggressive play has been instrumental. Walker-Welch ranks second on the team in caused turnovers (11) and has helped UNC limit opponents to an average of 8.82 goals per game, the sixth-fewest in the country.




Rachel Clark, A, Virginia

Entering fallball, defense appeared to be the area of the field where new Cavs had the best shot at getting immediate playing time. UVA returned top scorers from 2021 in Ashlyn McGovern and Lillie Kloak. But an injury to Kloak left a gap, and Rachel Clark has filled it. She leads the Cavs in goals (42) and points (50) and is first among DI freshmen in goals per game (3.50).



Emma LoPinto, A, Florida

Emma LoPinto arrived in Gainesville as Inside Lacrosse’s top incoming attacker, and she’s lived up to her advanced billing in the first half of her freshman year. She’s teamed up with fellow Long Island native and sophomore Danielle Pavinelli to lead a Florida offense that will likely be nearly unstoppable over the next several years. The multi-hammerhead offensive player, who won a state championship at Manhasset High School on Long Island, leads the Gators in assists (20) and is second in points (48) and is third among DI freshmen in assists per game (1.91). She shined bright in Florida’s win over Syracuse, posting six points on two goals and four assists.



Georgia Latch, A, Loyola

Georgia Latch has done a masterful job playing quarterback for the Loyola offense. The rookie from Melbourne, Australia, has a team-high 17 assists and has allowed Livy Rosenzweig, who tallied 33 goals and 50 helpers last season, to take on more of a scoring role. Latch excelled in Loyola’s loss to Syracuse, dishing four assists in the one-goal loss and has helped the Greyhounds stay in the top 10 nationally at 9-1 overall.




Annabelle Frist, M, Stanford

A true freshman, Annabel Frist has stood out on both ends of the field. She leads the team in goals (29) and is third among freshmen nationally in goals per game (2.90). Frist has also corralled a team-high 42 draws and caused 12 turnovers.



Emelia Bohi, G, Denver

It’s hard to believe that Emelia Bohi, the anchor of the top-ranked scoring defense in the land, is only in her fourth year playing lacrosse. The one-time soccer goalie picked up a stick in high school but is beginning to play with veteran-like confidence, unafraid to take risks in net. Bohi is second in DI in goals-against average (7.19) and is stopping shots at a .431 clip.




McKenzie Blake, M, Princeton

Princeton took the field in February for the first time since 2020, and the Tigers returned a veteran-heavy lineup of players who took a leave of absence in 2021 to extend their eligibility. But McKenzie Blake earned a starting spot and has proved why ever since. The rookie middie is second on the team in groundballs (16) and second in points (22) and goals (17). Also a threat on the defensive end, Blake has caused seven turnovers. Her best performance of the season came against USC, when she found the back of the cage five times in the Tigers’ 18-13 win.



Isabelle Vitale, A, USC

Isabelle Vitale is fifth among DI freshman in assists per game (1.89). Except for Stanford’s Humphrey, who leads the nation in the category, and Florida’s LoPinto, Vitale plays on a team with a stronger schedule (the others are Siena’s Grace Dobrynski and American’s Maddy Spratt). Vitale leads USC in assists (17) and is second in points (38).



Natalie Calandra-Ryan, A, Youngstown State

A dark horse for freshman of the year, Natalie Calandra-Ryan’s career at Youngstown State has gotten off to a strong start. The Auburn, N.Y., native is second in the country among freshmen in goals per game (3.36). Calandra-Ryan paces Youngstown State with 38 goals and 52 points. She broke a school record by posting eight goals and 12 points, including scoring the game-winner, in YSU’s comeback 21-20 win over Kent State.




Colleen Quinn, A, Richmond

Colleen Quinn is establishing herself as a formidable offensive threat for the Spiders. She’s second on the team in assists (13) and third in points (30). Quinn was a bright spot in Richmond’s loss to in-state rival Virginia, posting a hat trick and two assists.



Lauren Black, M, Denver

The Pioneers are known for their defense, but Lauren Black’s gritty play has fueled their offense. The freshman from British Columbia is second on the team in goals (24) and points (33). She scored the game-tying goal in Denver’s come-from-behind win against Michigan on March 13.




Olivia Vergano, M, Virginia Tech

Olivia Vergano has made an impact all over the field for a Virginia Tech squad that’s been in and out of the national rankings all season. She posted five points on four goals and an assist in Virginia Tech’s upset win over Notre Dame and a career-best eight points on six goals and two helpers against Furman. Vergano is third on the team in goals (27) and second in draws (49).



Kaylee Dyer, A, Michigan

Michigan returned an experienced attack that included Caitlin Muir and Kaitlyn Mead, but Kaylee Dyer has broken through anyway; Dyer has started all 11 games for the Wolverines, registering 12 goals and nine assists. Her best performance of the season came on a five-point day in a win over Cincy Feb. 20.



Nina Montes, M, Princeton

Another Tiger making an immediate impact, midfielder Nina Montes has been a valuable role player on a Princeton offense headlined by senior All-American Kyla Sears. Montes has played in all eight games, starting two, and chipped in 10 goals and two assists to help the Tigers jet off to a 6-2 start.


No disrespect but it is hard to compare any player from the MAC conference with some of the others, there is no competition there, these same players very possible could not get the job done against decent defense.