How did Sacred Heart Greenwich lacrosse players earn national recognition. Which players received USA Lacrosse All-American honors. What achievements led to their selection as All-Americans.
Sacred Heart Greenwich’s Lacrosse Powerhouses: Meet the All-American Honorees
Sacred Heart Greenwich’s varsity A lacrosse team has made waves in the national lacrosse scene, with four exceptional players earning prestigious USA Lacrosse honors. Kelly Haggerty and Laura O’Connor, both 2023 graduates, have been named to the USA Lacrosse All-American Team for Connecticut, while rising seniors Olivia Leahy and Payton Sfreddo have received Academic All-American accolades.
Laura O’Connor: Goalie Extraordinaire
Laura O’Connor’s journey to All-American status is nothing short of remarkable. A stalwart in the Tigers’ goal since her eighth-grade year, O’Connor’s senior season was a testament to her skill and dedication. Her achievements include:
- Surpassing 200 career saves
- Reaching 100 saves in the 2023 season alone
- Holding all opponents under 10 goals per game
- Limiting opponents to four goals or less in five games
- Recording one shutout
O’Connor’s exceptional performance didn’t go unnoticed beyond the All-American selection. She was also named the NEPSAC 2023 Lacrosse Player of the Year, cementing her status as one of the top high school goalies in the nation.
Kelly Haggerty: Offensive Powerhouse
Kelly Haggerty, the Tigers’ leading goal scorer, proved to be an unstoppable force on the attack. Her All-American selection was backed by consistently impressive performances throughout the season:
- Four goals in a 10-7 victory over Hotchkiss School
- Four goals and two assists in a 19-6 win against Taft School
- Four goals and three assists on Senior Day versus Westhampton Beach
- Two crucial goals in a tight 9-7 victory against Oak Knoll Academy
- Three goals in a 12-3 win over Dexter Southfield School at the Prep Invitational tournament
Academic Excellence: Sfreddo and Leahy’s Dual Threat
While on-field performance is crucial, Sacred Heart Greenwich also prides itself on academic excellence. Rising seniors Payton Sfreddo and Olivia Leahy exemplify this balance, earning USA Lacrosse Academic All-American honors.
Payton Sfreddo: Midfield Maestro
Payton Sfreddo’s versatility as a midfielder made her an indispensable asset to the Tigers. Her contributions were felt across the field:
- Consistent goal-scoring and assists
- Strong defensive play, causing turnovers
- Ability to gather crucial ground balls
Sfreddo’s talent has not gone unnoticed at the collegiate level, as she has already committed to play Division I lacrosse at the University of Virginia.
Olivia Leahy: Defensive Dynamo
Olivia Leahy’s speed and tenacity made her a formidable defender for Sacred Heart Greenwich. Her impact on the team’s defensive success included:
- Successfully defending against elite offensive players
- Causing turnovers to regain possession
- Utilizing her speed to make game-changing plays across the field
Leahy’s exceptional play has secured her future in collegiate lacrosse, with a commitment to Stanford University.
Sacred Heart Greenwich’s 2023 Season: A Year of Triumph
The individual accolades of these players contributed to an outstanding season for Sacred Heart Greenwich. The team’s achievements include:
- A near-perfect record of 16-1
- An 11-game winning streak to close the season
- Ranking 9th in the Nike/USA Lacrosse High School Top 25 national rankings
These accomplishments underscore the team’s dominance and the individual talents that earned All-American recognition.
The Impact of All-American Honors on College Recruitment
Earning All-American status in high school lacrosse can significantly impact a player’s college prospects. For Sacred Heart Greenwich’s honorees, this recognition has already translated into impressive college commitments:
- Laura O’Connor: Yale University
- Kelly Haggerty: Fairfield University
- Payton Sfreddo: University of Virginia
- Olivia Leahy: Stanford University
These commitments to top-tier academic and athletic institutions demonstrate the value of All-American recognition in the college recruitment process.
The Role of Coaching in Developing All-American Talent
Behind every successful team and individual player stands a dedicated coaching staff. While the article doesn’t specifically mention the coaches, their role in developing these All-American players cannot be overstated. Effective coaching strategies likely included:
- Individualized skill development programs
- Strategic game planning to showcase player strengths
- Mental preparation and confidence-building exercises
- Emphasis on academic excellence alongside athletic achievement
The success of Sacred Heart Greenwich’s lacrosse program and its All-American honorees is a testament to the quality of coaching and player development at the school.
The Future of Sacred Heart Greenwich Lacrosse
With two All-Americans graduating and two returning as seniors, what does the future hold for Sacred Heart Greenwich’s lacrosse program? Several factors suggest continued success:
- A strong foundation of talent and recent success
- Returning Academic All-Americans to lead the team
- A proven system for developing high-caliber players
- National recognition attracting top recruits
The challenge for Sacred Heart Greenwich will be maintaining their high level of play and national ranking while integrating new talent to replace graduating stars.
The Significance of All-American Honors in High School Lacrosse
USA Lacrosse All-American honors represent the pinnacle of individual achievement in high school lacrosse. These awards carry significant weight for several reasons:
- Recognition of exceptional skill and performance
- Validation of hard work and dedication
- Enhanced visibility for college recruiters
- Prestige for the player’s high school program
- Motivation for younger players to strive for excellence
For Sacred Heart Greenwich, having four players receive All-American or Academic All-American honors in a single year is a remarkable achievement that speaks to the strength of their program.
Are All-American honors a reliable predictor of future success in collegiate lacrosse? While individual results may vary, these accolades often correlate with strong performances at the next level. Players who achieve All-American status typically possess the skills, work ethic, and mental toughness necessary to succeed in college athletics.
How can aspiring lacrosse players work towards earning All-American recognition? Developing All-American caliber skills requires dedication and a multifaceted approach:
- Consistent practice and skill refinement
- Participation in competitive leagues and tournaments
- Seeking out high-level coaching and training
- Maintaining academic excellence
- Developing leadership skills on and off the field
- Cultivating a strong work ethic and positive attitude
By focusing on these areas, young players can increase their chances of reaching All-American status and attracting attention from college programs.
Does the concentration of All-American talent at Sacred Heart Greenwich reflect a broader trend in high school lacrosse? The success of Sacred Heart Greenwich’s program may indeed be part of a larger pattern in high school lacrosse, where certain schools become known for consistently producing top-tier talent. This concentration of talent can be attributed to several factors:
- Strong youth development programs in the area
- Experienced and successful coaching staff
- School reputation attracting skilled players
- A culture of excellence and high expectations
- Access to quality facilities and resources
As the sport of lacrosse continues to grow in popularity, it’s likely that more schools will emerge as powerhouses, fostering clusters of All-American talent similar to Sacred Heart Greenwich.
How does the Academic All-American designation impact a player’s college prospects? The Academic All-American honor, earned by Olivia Leahy and Payton Sfreddo, carries significant weight in the college recruitment process. This designation demonstrates that a player excels both on the field and in the classroom, making them particularly attractive to top academic institutions. The impact of this honor includes:
- Increased interest from academically rigorous colleges and universities
- Potential for academic scholarships in addition to athletic opportunities
- Demonstration of time management and dedication
- Indication of potential success in balancing college academics and athletics
For Leahy and Sfreddo, their Academic All-American status likely played a role in their commitments to Stanford and the University of Virginia, respectively – both known for their strong academic programs alongside their athletic prowess.
What role does team success play in individual All-American selections? While All-American honors are awarded based on individual performance, team success can certainly influence the selection process. Sacred Heart Greenwich’s impressive 16-1 record and top-10 national ranking likely contributed to the recognition of their players. Team success can impact individual honors in several ways:
- Increased visibility and media attention for the program
- More opportunities for players to showcase skills in high-profile games
- Perception of individual contributions to team achievements
- Validation of a player’s impact on game outcomes
The symbiotic relationship between individual talent and team success is evident in Sacred Heart Greenwich’s 2023 season, with their All-American honorees playing crucial roles in the team’s outstanding performance.
How might the All-American honors impact Sacred Heart Greenwich’s lacrosse program moving forward? The recognition of four players as All-Americans or Academic All-Americans can have lasting effects on the school’s lacrosse program:
- Enhanced reputation as a developer of top-tier talent
- Increased interest from skilled middle school athletes considering high school options
- Potential for more college recruiters to attend games and practices
- Motivation for current players to strive for similar recognition
- Possible increase in resources and support for the lacrosse program
These factors could create a positive feedback loop, where success breeds further success, solidifying Sacred Heart Greenwich’s position as a lacrosse powerhouse for years to come.
What challenges might Sacred Heart Greenwich face in maintaining their high level of play? Despite their recent success and All-American honors, the program will need to navigate several challenges to maintain their elite status:
- Replacing the contributions of graduating All-Americans
- Managing increased expectations and pressure to perform
- Continuing to develop new talent to fill key roles
- Adapting to changes in opposing teams’ strategies as Sacred Heart becomes a bigger target
- Balancing the desire for individual accolades with team-first mentality
How the coaching staff and returning players address these challenges will be crucial in determining the program’s continued success and ability to produce All-American caliber players.
Kelly Haggerty, Laura O’Connor earn All-American lacrosse honors after excelling for Sacred Heart Greenwich’s varsity A lacrosse team; Olivia Leahy, Payton Sfreddo receive Academic All-American accolades for the Tigers – Greenwich Sports Beat
Monday, July 3rd, 2023
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Photo provided by Sacred Heart Greenwich: Laura O’Connor, a 2023 Sacred Heart Greenwich graduate, received USA Lacrosse All-American Lacrosse honors. She played goalie for the Tigers.
Sacred Heart Greenwich’s varsity A lacrosse team is certainly well represented on the USA Lacrosse All-American Team.
Kelly Haggerty and Laura O’Connor, both of whom graduated from Sacred Heart this month, each earned USA Lacrosse All-American Team honors for Connecticut after producing exceptional senior seasons for the Tigers.
Additionally, O’Connor was named the NEPSAC 2023 Lacrosse Player of the Year.
Photo provided by Sacred Heart Greenwich: Kelly Haggerty, who graduated from Sacred Heart Greenwich this month, was a USA Lacrosse All-American selection. She helped lead the Tigers’ offense throughout the season.
O’Connor, who will play lacrosse at Yale University, was a mainstay as the Tigers’ goalie since she was an eighth-grader at SHG. During her senior season for Sacred Heart this spring, O’Connor reached and eclipsed the 200-career save plateau.
Sacred Heart’s All-American goalie achieved the 200-career save milestone during a game against Hotchkiss School – a 10-7 win for the Tigers.
O’Connor made an impressive 15 saves against Hotchkiss, putting her over the 100-save mark for the 2023 season.
Photo by David Fierro: Sacred Heart Greenwich goalie Laura O’Connor in action. O’Connor earned USA Lacrosse All-American honors after having a superb season for the Sacred Heart Varsity A lacrosse team.
Sacred Heart’s varsity A team’s successful 2023 season saw O’Connor hold the opposition under 10 goals in every game – no team scored in double digits the entire season.
She also limited the opposition to four goals or less in five games and posted one shutout.
The Tigers finished the season with a record of 16-1, including victories in their last 11 games. They concluded their memorable 2023 campaign ranked ninth in the Nike/USA Lacrosse High School Top 25 national rankings.
Photo by David Fierro: Kelly Haggerty, who played attack for Sacred Heart Greenwich’s Varsity A lacrosse team, received USA Lacrosse All-American accolades. She led the Tigers’ in scoring this spring.
Haggerty will bring her Division I lacrosse skills to Fairfield University. A co-captain for the Tigers’ squad this spring, she powered the squad’s attack throughout the season.
The Tigers’ leading goal scorer, Haggerty recorded a team-high four goals in a 10-7 win over Hotchkiss School and registered four goals and two assists in the team’s 19-6 triumph against Taft School.
Photo provided by Sacred Heart Greenwich: Laura O’Connor in action in goal for Sacred Heart Greenwich’s Varsity A lacrosse team.
She received USA Lacrosse All-American accolades. Olivia Leahy (No. 17 in front) received USA Lacrosse All-American Academy honors. O’Connor is a 2023 SHG graduate and Leahy is a rising senior.
In the Tigers’ Senior Day win versus Westhampton Beach, Haggerty tallied four goals and three assists and she posted two clutch goals in a hard-fought 9-7 victory against Oak Knoll Academy.
Among some of the other numerous standout games for Haggerty was a three-goal performance in a 12-3 victory over Dexter Southfield School at the season-ending Prep Invitational tournament.
Like O’Connor, Haggerty certainly left her mark on the Tigers’ program.
Photo courtesy of Sacred Heart Greenwich: Olivia Leahy of Sacred Heart in action. She is a USA Lacrosse Academic All-American selection for the Tigers.
Sacred Heart juniors Olivia Leahy and Payton Sfreddo each earned USA Lacrosse Academic All-American honors.
A midfielder, Sfreddo excelled on both ends of the field for the Tigers.
She provided numerous clutch goals and assisted on a wealth of tallies on her way to help spearhead Sacred Heart’s offense.
Sfreddo, who has committed to play Division I lacrosse at the University of Virginia, also flourished on the defensive end of the field, causing turnovers and gathering a number of key groundballs.
Photo by David Fierro: Payton Sfreddo of Sacred Heart Greenwich (No. 20) is a USA Lacrosse All-American selection.
Leahy is a dynamic defender, who help make the Tigers a difficult team to generate goals against.
She used her impressive speed to successfully defend elite offensive athletes throughout the season and made hustle plays all over the field – causing turnovers and gaining possessions for the Sacred Heart’s offense.
Leahy has committed to play lacrosse at Stanford University.
Photo by David Fierro: Payton Sfreddo of Sacred Heart Greenwich in action.
Photo courtesy of Sacred Heart Greenwich: Kelly Haggerty created a lot of goals and scoring opportunities during Sacred Heart Greenwich’s varsity A lacrosse team this spring.
Sacred Heart Greenwich earned a record of 16-1.Liv Leahy of Sacred Heart is a 2023 USA Lacrosse Academic All-American.
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Girls’ lacrosse All-Americans, all-academic selections announced
Senior midfielder CJ Froemming is one of five Eden Prairie players selected to this year’s All-American list. Photo by Cheryl Myers, SportsEngine
Eden Prairie and Prior Lake can kick off this year’s girls’ lacrosse state tournament knowing they’re in good hands. Armed with a slew of standout players, the two programs combine for nine All-American selections on the Minnesota list as chosen by U.
S. Lacrosse.
Eagles midfielders CJ Froemming, Kacie Riggs and Maggie Brown are joined by teammates Brooke Lewis, an attacker, and goalie Emilie Bloyer. Froemming tallied 45 points — 32 goals and 13 assists — during the regular season. Riggs, who was just named Player of the Year by the coaches association, had 42 points (29 goals, 13 assists) in the regular season, while Brown finished second on the team in goals with 45, while Lewis had a team-best 48 tallies.
Josie Kropp, who was Prior Lake’s points leader with 30 goals and 20 assists in the regular season, made the list with Grace Mattox, Kelsey Viger and Payton Bloedow. A sophomore forward, Bloedow had a team-leading 38 goals in the regular season.
No other programs had multiple players honored this season.
Reference the tables below to see the complete Minnesota All-American and all-academic lists.
All-American
| Name | School |
|---|---|
| Sally Calengor | Benilde-St. Margaret’s |
| Julia Jones | Bloomington Jefferson |
| Eloise Cherian | Breck |
| Kacie Riggs | Eden Prairie |
| Brooke Lewis | Eden Prairie |
| Maggie Brown | Eden Prairie |
| CJ Froemming | Eden Prairie |
| Emilie Bloyer | Eden Prairie |
| Haley Reeck | Edina |
| Olivia Mattis | Lakeville North |
| Grace Mattox | Prior Lake |
| Kelsey Viger | Prior Lake |
| Josie Kropp | Prior Lake |
| Payton Bloedow | Prior Lake |
| Meredith Parry | Stillwater |
All-academic
| Name | School |
|---|---|
| Laine Ciaramataro | Apple Valley |
| Sally Calengor | Benilde-St. Margaret’s |
| Grace Juckniess | Benilde-St. Margaret’s |
| Julia Jones | Bloomington Jefferson |
| Taylor Nelson | Breck |
| Deirdre O’Neill | Breck |
| Eloise Cherian | Breck |
| Kacie Riggs | Eden Prairie |
| Emilie Bloyer | Eden Prairie |
| CJ Froemming | Eden Prairie |
| Brooke Lewis | Eden Prairie |
| Abby Johnson | Eden Prairie |
| Natalie Hanson | Maple Grove |
| Katelyn Wheeler | Maple Grove |
| Josie Kropp | Prior Lake |
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People who will change everything: 5 schools in the US that train the leaders of tomorrow
Resumes mentioning these schools do not stay on the desks of human resources directors of the largest international companies. Students on these campuses become key figures in the world of science, business, art and sports. Five American schools, within the walls of which study turns into something more than just getting knowledge.
Phillips Academy Andover
If the experts in secondary education were to choose the most valuable brand in America, most of them would undoubtedly vote for Phillips Academy Andover. Year after year, ratings give this educational institution near Boston the palm in the US private boarding school dispute.
For more than 2 centuries of operation, Phillips Academy Andover has become synonymous with elite education. The list of famous graduates of the school inspires awe, and the very fact of entering here seems to guarantee a pass to the circle of the powerful.
“Andover meets you where you are now and takes you where you want to go,” says the official website of the establishment. The school really provides almost limitless opportunities for the realization of cognitive ambitions. Students can create an individual plan of more than 300 courses. Some of them correspond to the degree of specialization of the magistracy, if not doctoral studies. Studying the history of the Vikings, the literature of post-colonial India, traces of life in interstellar space, the relationship between human behavior and the availability of water resources: how do you like this level of immersion in your favorite topic?
Phillips Exeter Academy
“Studying here will change your life,” the Philips Exeter Academy brochure promises. Scientists, journalists, designers, engineers, businessmen who once graduated from the walls of this prestigious school in New Hampshire lived very different lives, but they agree on one thing: it was here that they were taught to take a keen interest in the world around them and ask the right questions.
Every voice counts, Philips Exeter Academy says. Back in the 30s of the last century, lessons began to be held here at the oval table, so that learning took place in the form of a dialogue, and the teacher and students were on an equal footing. The famous Harkness table, named after the philanthropist Edward Harkness, who introduced this democratic teaching method, is still a key element of the school’s philosophy.
Mark Zuckerberg, the future founder of Facebook, also worked at such an oval table. In an interview, he called his brainchild “a platform for all ideas.” Most likely, it was the ideals of Philips Exeter Academy that inspired him: the global social network in his understanding was to become a virtual Harkness table for millions of people.
Lawrenceville School
Children achieve more when they are surrounded by care and support, according to Lawrenceville School. A family-friendly, trusting atmosphere is in the DNA of this New Jersey private school near Princeton University.
For over 200 years, Lawrenceville School has nurtured some of America’s most inquisitive minds. In the 19th century, for the first time in the country, the study of foreign languages was introduced into the curriculum, and today dozens of a wide variety of scientific disciplines, sports and creative activities are offered.
Getting to Lawrenceville School, each student becomes part of one of twenty houses: small associations of schoolchildren within a large school community. Each house has its own council, flag, and distinctive colors. Each of them has its own teaching staff. Houses compete for awards in scientific and sports competitions.
The school’s philosophy is reflected in its campus, which was designed by New York’s Central Park designer Frederick Law Olmsted. He singled out a separate building for each house, but they are all concentrated around the central square – The Circle.
The house system at Lawrenceville School is revered, believed to create a sense of belonging./cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60234985/DSC_0088.0.jpeg)
“Which house were you in?” – this is perhaps the first question that will be asked at the meeting of graduates.
Hotchkiss School
Hotchkiss School was founded at the end of the 19th century to prepare boys for admission to Yale University. “The duty of the student is first to become a gentleman, then a scientist, then, if possible, an athlete,” declared the school magazine 1893 years. More than a century later, Hotchkiss School is open to both girls and children from all over the world, but its values - respect for the individual, encouragement of intellectual search, discipline, character – remain unshakable to this day.
More than 200 disciplines are taught at the school. In classes, children are divided into small groups, and the process itself is as interactive as possible. Students are encouraged to be independent: they are taught to take risks, try, express their opinion, make mistakes and try again.
The old campus of Hotchkiss School is located in the middle of picturesque meadows and forests in the state of Connecticut.
Even the newspapers of 1892 wrote that “in all the United States, perhaps, there is no more beautiful example of school architecture.” The buildings are adjacent to golf and baseball fields, which offer stunning views of the lake. The reservoir is used for its intended purpose: the students here go in for sailing.
Deerfield Academy
From classical languages and classical philosophy to the cutting edge of astrophysics and molecular biology, at Deerfield Academy students are immersed in a special educational environment in which they learn to think outside the box and persevere in pursuit of their goals.
Nestled in the quiet countryside of western Massachusetts, the school has been training America’s intellectual elite for more than two centuries. Deerfield Academy was founded in 1797, at the dawn of the history of the American state. Today, the school professes a holistic approach, which implies the comprehensive and harmonious development of children.
A Deerfield schoolboy is not only a brilliant scholar, but also an athlete.
Sports are built into a cult here, and other professional teams can envy the infrastructure on campus. Deerfield has two amazing ice skating rinks, its own rowing gym, ski slopes, not to mention golf, lacrosse, baseball and American football.
The American School in Switzerland (TACIS – American School in Switzerland), private boarding school abroad
Age
from 13 to 19 years old
For whom
mixed
languages
English
Founded
1956
Total number of students
700
Number of foreign students
85%
Student/faculty ratio
6:1
Average number of students per class
13
Accommodation
Residence
cost
from
CH₣ for a year of full-time study, incl. accommodation
Submit a request
TASIS – The American School in Switzerland – the first American school in Switzerland; works from 1956 years old The picturesque alpine village of Montagnola, where the campus is located, is located in the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino.
This beautiful, calm, ecologically clean place is often chosen by creative people – poets, writers, actors. It takes only 15 minutes to get from Montagnola to the prestigious resort of Lugano, one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Europe with a rich culture, which annually welcomes 60,000 tourists from all over the world.
More than 700 people study at the school, of which 85% are foreigners. 65% of students live in full board.
English, mathematics, science, history, art, music and sports play a key role in the secondary school curriculum. The complexity of the program depends on the initial level and the speed of mastering the material by the student. The main task of the secondary school is to prepare for the rich programs of the senior.
In high school, students choose one of two programs: the American Advanced Placement or the international International Baccalaureate. Within each of them, TASIS offers a wide range of subjects.
The average scores for the final exams are significantly higher than in the world.
Graduates enter the world’s best universities, including Brown University in the USA, King’s College London in the UK or the University of Toronto in Canada.
The proximity of the Alps makes it possible to organize the Ski Adventure program under the guidance of professional trainers. Children spend a whole week in the mountains without interrupting their studies – lessons are held at the ski base, among the snow-capped peaks. In their free time, students go sledding, curling, going to the skating rink and developing their hiking skills.
Thanks to another interesting program, the Academic Travel Program, the guys travel a lot. Among the destinations are Austria, Germany, Portugal, Italy, Spain, Great Britain, Scotland, Czech Republic, Poland.
Students who plan a gap year, a one-year break between school and university, can take an additional year of study – Postgraduate Program. The program is suitable for those who have already entered the university of the first choice, but want to better understand their interests and gain new cultural experience, and for those who plan to strengthen the entrance application, retake IB exams, improve their knowledge of English.
