Players Open Girls Preview – Players to Watch, Gait Athletes & Watch-List presented by Gait Lacrosse

One of the most exciting aspects of the Players Open is the unmatched media coverage surrounding the event. The Long Island Lacrosse Journal (LILJ) is heading to the Players Open to highlight the nation’s best young talent — and to help rising players gain exposure on a national stage

Why the LILJ is at the Players Open, who are the Gait Athletes, who are we excited to watch and more…

LILJ’s own Tyler Cresser and Ellis Joshua, alongside the LILJ media team, will be on-site throughout the event bringing live updates, video highlights, action photos, player interviews, and “Player of the Game” features. Coverage will include specialty awards presented by Top Tier Recruiting, giving athletes a true showcase experience and an opportunity to be seen by college coaches, fans, and media.

The Search for the Next Gait Athletes

In partnership with our legendary sponsor Gait Lacrosse, the LILJ will also be identifying and celebrating the next wave of Gait Athletes. With eight athletes already selected, the Players Open offers a major opportunity for 2028s and 2029s to earn their spot in this elite group. Gait Athletes embody the highest level of skill, leadership, and competitive drive — and the LILJ will be watching closely to see if anyone is worthy of joining this exclusive class.

Juniors Open Invitations

Standouts at the Players Open will be evaluated and invited directly to the Juniors Open, the nation’s top recruiting event of the summer. This invite-only opportunity is reserved for athletes who perform at the highest level, show strong lacrosse IQ, and demonstrate the work ethic and attitude that define future college prospects.

2025 Players Open — Featured Athletes to Watch

GAIT ATHLETES

• Seven Greaves – Concept Lacrosse (CO) – 2028 Attack, Right. Currently sidelined due to injury, Seven one of the most dynamic offensive players in the country to watch and cover. So much ahead for Seven.

• Bryce Birkholz – Jamie Birkholz (GA) – 2028 Midfield, Right. A complete offensive midfielder and pure goal scorer with elite instincts around the cage.

• Luca Diehl – Eagle Stix 2028 Blue (GA) – 2028 Midfield, Right. An explosive athlete and versatile midfielder primed for a breakout year, serving as one of the best in her class.

• Maddie Moran – Heros (MD) – 2028 Midfield, Right. A coach’s kid with elite IQ and leadership — makes everyone around her better.

• Jordin Rosga – Yellow Jackets (MN) – 2028 Attack, Right. Powerful and poised; her strength and creativity make her a force in the attacking end.

• Lila Gilbart – Prime Time (NY) – 2028 Attack, Right. Elusive and deceptive with dazzling vision — one of the most entertaining attackers to watch nationally.

• Maura Beckwith – Monster Elite (NY) – 2028 Attack, Left. A gritty Upstate competitor with elite skill and relentless drive.

• Amzy Zakauskas – Laxachusetts (MA) – 2028 Midfield. Tenacious, creative, and fearless — a player who redefines effort and flair every time she steps on the field.

Featured 2028 Players

After an early look at the athletes below, from 12 different regions around the country, here’s who we’re excited to cover at the Players Open this weekend:

• Apollonia “Apple” Cortese – Alliance National (CA) – 2028 Midfield, Right. A versatile midfielder developing into one of the most complete two-way players in her class.

• Tatum Irwin – 180 Elite (CO) – 2028 Attack, Right. A poised low attacker who handles pressure and finishes with precision.

• Addie Talbott – CT Grizzlies (CT) – 2028 Defense, Right. A strong, disciplined, and composed defender with lockdown ability.

• Piper Melograna – Shine Select Orange (FL) – 2028 Midfield, Right. A creative two-handed midfielder with flair and fearlessness.

• Madelyn Kate (MK) Gersmehl – Eaglestix 2028 Blue (GA) – 2028 Defense, Right. Smart, gritty, and fearless — thrives against elite competition.

• Hayden Baumgartner – Heros 2028 Green (MD) – 2028 Attack, Right. Combines strength, finesse, and fire to dominate from the righty side.

• Kate Wood – HHH Philly (NC) – 2028 Attack, Left. A deceptive, slick lefty with elite touch and creativity around the cage. Wood stands out on film as someone who you can’t wait to see live.

• Vivienne Stramara – Steps NJ Blue (NJ) – 2028 Defense, Right. Aggressive and energetic; a true ground ball machine.

• Ella Bacallao – Prime Time (NY) – 2028 Goalie, Right. Quick, athletic, and fearless — excels both inside and on outside shots.

• Caileigh McDonough – Tradition (NY) – 2028 Midfield, Right. A commanding presence in the circle and a playmaker in transition, McDonough has what it takes to take over games.

• Ainsley Shissler – NXT (PA) – 2028 Midfield, Right. A dynamic two-way midfielder with nonstop energy and vision.

• Layton Vanek – South Coast Lacrosse (TX) – 2028 Midfield, Right. Texas-tough and ready to prove she can compete with anyone coast-to-coast.

2025 Players Open — Additional Players to Watch

The following 2028 and 2029 athletes have earned their spot on the LILJ’s watch list heading into the Players Open. We’ll be tracking their progress and highlighting standout performances throughout the weekend.

•Clara Aschenbach – Hero’s Green 2029 (MD) – 2029 Midfield, Right

•Adelyn Bartz – Shine Select (FL) – 2029 Midfield, Right

•Abigail Bauer – Yellow Jackets (NY) – 2028 Midfield, Right

•Viviana Beardsley – Aces 2028 Elite (NY) – 2028 Attack, Left

•Maeve Best – Sound Lacrosse (CT) – 2028 Attack, Left

•Aubrey Betler – Pittsburgh Premier Lacrosse Club (PA) – 2028 Midfield, Right

•Jillian Black – Yellow Jackets – Bertelone ’28 (NY) – 2028 Defense, Right

•Anna Bradford – Philly Blast (PA) – 2028 Defense, Right

•Clara Bridge – Shipyard (FL) – 2028 Attack, Right

•Aliyah Brodsky – Yellow Jackets (NY) – 2028 Midfield, Left

•Camryn Bruckner – Long Island Lacrosse (NY) – 2028 Midfield, Right

•Siena Cain – Mad Dog West Elite 2029 (CA) – 2029 Defense, Right

•Savannah Cannaday – Alliance National (TX) – 2029 Goalie, Right

•Piper Carroll – Sound (CT) – 2029 Attack, Left

•Lucy Casey – Gold Coast Lacrosse (CT) – 2028 Midfield, Right

•Brinn Castrechini – Aces Elite (NY) – 2028 Attack, Right

•Austyn Cerasi – CT Grizzlies (CT) – 2029 Attack, Right

•Olivia Choi – CLC (NJ) – 2028 Attack, Right

•Cameryn Clifford – Triple Threat Elite (NJ) – 2029 Midfield, Left

•Hadley Clough – CT Grizzlies (CT) – 2029 Defense, Right

•Kiersten Cody – Long Island Jesters (NY) – 2028 Defense, Right

•Emma Cregan – BBL (NJ) – 2028 Attack, Right

•Sarina DeRosa – All Lax Select 2028 (NJ) – 2028 Midfield, Right

•Juliet Diorio – Team 91 (NY) – 2029 Midfield, Right

•Ava Doldo – Salt City Snipers (NY) – 2029 Midfield, Left

•Avery Ellis – Ultimate Carolina (NC) – 2028 Midfield, Right

•Sophia Enea – Yellow Jackets (NY) – 2029 Midfield, Right

•Taylor Errante – Monster Elite (NY) – 2029 Defense, Right

•Nora Esposito – Yellow Jackets North Howe (NY) – 2028 Attack, Right

•Katie Farrer – Liberty Black (NY) – 2028 Midfield, Right

•Kloe Ferreri – Yellow Jackets (NY) – 2028 Attack, Right

•Elizabeth Ferris – M&D Orlando Black (FL) – 2028 Defense, Right

•Giuliana Flores – Jesters 2029 Black (NY) – 2029 Defense, Right

•Addison Fox – Team 91 Roar (NY) – 2029 Attack, Right

•Lainie Friedman – Yellow Jackets (NY) – 2029 Midfield, Left

•Savannah Fryzel – M&D Orlando (FL) – 2028 Midfield, Right

•Fabiana Gallagher – Yellow Jackets Maget Bertolone (NY) – 2028 Attack, Right

•Jessica Gallego – Bluestar (NJ) – 2029 Midfield, Right

•Lily Gentile – Team 91 Roar (NY) – 2029 Goalie, Left

•Reese Goettelmann – Tradition (NY) – 2029 Midfield, Right

•Karis Goon – Alliance National 2028 (AZ) – 2028 Midfield, Right

•Kylie Gorman – Jesters (NY) – 2029 Midfield, Right

•Michaela Grever – 91 Roar (NY) – 2029 Attack, Left

•Dillon Hall – YJ North Howe (NY) – 2028 Midfield, Right

•Kylie Harm – Metro (NY) – 2028 Midfield, Left

•Reagan Hay – Building Blocks Lacrosse (NJ) – 2028 Defense, Right

•Stella Heberlein – AFA (NC) – 2029 Attack, Right

•Paige Hill – Coppermine Black (TX) – 2028 Midfield, Right

•Ava Hunter – Centercourt Lacrosse Club (NJ) – 2028 Midfield, Left

•Maya Kallelis – Jesters (NY) – 2028 Midfield, Left

•Mina Kapitanyan – CLC Elite (NJ) – 2028 Midfield, Right

•Sophie Kasouf – Team 91 Roar (NY) – 2029 Midfield, Right

•Lily Kavanagh – Liberty 2028 Black (NY) – 2028 Defense, Left

•Bo Kennedy – CT Grizzlies (CT) – 2029 Attack, Left

•Natalie Kibalo – NXT LC 2028 Volt (PA) – 2028 Midfield, Right

•Annabelle Kim – Sound Lacrosse (CT) – 2028 Defense, Right

•Ellery Kraus – CT Grizzlies (CT) – 2029 Midfield, Right

•Brigid Loughlin – Liberty Black 2028 (NY) – 2028 Midfield, Right

•Ava Macri – LI Jesters (NY) – 2028 Midfield, Right

•Erin Madigan – Mad Dog North New Jersey 2028 Black (NJ) – 2028 Attack, Right

•Sadie Manger – Yellow Jackets North (NY) – 2028 Attack, Right

•Nicole Manolakes – Yellow Jackets (NY) – 2029 Attack, Right

•Rose Marczyk – Atlantic County Wave (NJ) – 2029 Midfield, Right

•Stella Maresca – Prime Time (NY) – 2028 Midfield, Right

•Taylor Martin – Coppermine (NJ) – 2028 Attack, Right

•Harper Maurer – Freestyle 2028 (GA) – 2028 Defense, Right

•Emily McDermott – Maryland United 2028 East (MD) – 2028 Defense, Right

•Tess McGuire – LI Jesters (NY) – 2028 Defense, Right

•Caroline McLaughlin – NXT (PA) – 2028 Defense, Right

•Molly McNamara – Yellow Jackets Friedman (NY) – 2029 Midfield, Right

•Indy Messett – Texas Nationals (TX) – 2028 Midfield, Right

•Sydney Millett – Yellow Jackets (NY) – 2028 Goalie, Right

•Lauren Mortimer – BBL 2028 Black Central (NJ) – 2028 Midfield, Right

•Eloise Murphy – CLC Elite (NJ) – 2028 Midfield, Right

•Noelle Napolitano – Yellow Jackets (NY) – 2028 Defense, Right

•Becca Newell – All Lax Select (NJ) – 2028 Midfield, Right

•Zoe Nolan – Legacy Lacrosse LI (NY) – 2028 Attack, Left

•Vanessa Novelli – Team 91 Roar (NY) – 2029 Defense, Right

•Summer O’Neill – Yellow Jackets (NY) – 2029 Defense, Right

•Ava Oppedisano – Tradition 2028 (NY) – 2028 Attack, Left

•Aubrey Ortega – GRIT Dallas 2029 (TX) – 2029 Midfield, Right

•Shannon O’Shea – Jesters (NY) – 2029 Midfield, Right

•Sarah Paci – Yellow Jackets (NY) – 2029 Midfield, Right

•Asha Parry – Alliance National (CA) – 2028 Attack, Right

•Keira Pellizzi – Team 91 (NY) – 2029 Midfield, Right

•Ashley Penn – DEWLAX (NJ) – 2028 Attack, Right

•Ava Picarde – Maryland United Lacrosse Club 2028 East (MD) – 2028 Midfield, Right

•Leah Pollock – Salt City Snipers (NY) – 2029 Midfield, Left

•Giovanna Pozzi – Monster Elite (NY) – 2029 Midfield, Right

•Madison Prouty – Laxachusetts (MA) – 2029 Attack, Left

•Hadley Ramirez – Prime Time 2028 (NY) – 2028 Attack, Right

•Elexus Ray – Mad Dog West Elite (CA) – 2028 Attack, Right

•Marley Read – Eagle Stix 2028 Blue (GA) – 2028 Attack, Left

•Avery Rumble – Salt City Snipers (NY) – 2028 Attack, Right

•Molly Ryan – Descendants LC (PA) – 2029 Midfield, Right

•Sadie Salmon – CLC Elite 2028 (NJ) – 2028 Midfield, Right

•Bianca Scalzo – CLC Elite 2028 (NJ) – 2028 Goalie, Right

•Haley Schlafman – CT Grizzlies (CT) – 2028 Attack, Right

•Riley Schlafman – CT Grizzlies (CT) – 2028 Midfield, Right

•Sadie Sherman – Gold Coast 2027 Black (CT) – 2028 Attack, Right

•Chloe Sherman – CT Grizzlies (CT) – 2028 Defense, Right

•Hannah Sliwak – Jester’s Black/Downey (NY) – 2028 Attack, Right

•Dempsey Smith – LI Yellow Jackets (NY) – 2028 Defense, Right

•Bella Smith – Texas Nationals (TX) – 2028 Attack, Right

•Casey Smolick – CT Grizzlies (CT) – 2029 Midfield, Right

•Holly Sullivan – LI Top Guns (FL) – 2029 Midfield, Right

•Sadie James Thurber – All American Aim (NJ) – 2028 Defense, Right

•Camryn Tumelty – Blue Star 2029 (NJ) – 2029 Defense, Right

•Drew Urban – Blue Star (NJ) – 2029 Midfield, Right

•Sophie Vittengl – Albany Power (NY) – 2029 Attack, Left

•Caroline Wilson – Salt City Snipers (NY) – 2029 Attack, Right

•Rachel Wood – Charlotte Style (NC) – 2028 Goalie, Right

How to Stand Out and Get LILJ Exposure

Not featured on the list yet? Don’t sweat it. The LILJ is always looking for the next player ready to rise. Here’s how you can stand out and earn recognition:

• Show energy and effort on every rep. Hustle gets noticed.

• Be coachable and team-first. Positivity and leadership make a lasting impression.

• Dominate your role. Whether on offense, defense, in net or in transition — make the most of every touch.

• Engage with LILJ media. Post and tag your highlights, celebrate your teammates, and share your passion for the game.

• Be consistent. The best players are great not just once — but all weekend long.

Remember: The LILJ is always watching and ready to highlight players who bring intensity, heart, and skill every time they step onto the field.