HERALD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: LOYOLA LACROSSE PLAYER ELLIE LAZZARETTO

Loyola senior attack Ellie Lazzaretto racked up a season's worth of stats in the postseason alone, leading the loaded Ramblers to the girls state lacrosse title with a perfect 25-0 record.

The 5-foot-5 powerhouse scored 32 goals with 7 assists and won 21 draws in Loyola's six-game march to the title, which ended with an 18-7 win over Glenbrook South in the state championship.

"Ellie was a consistent, clutch performer for us all year and especially in the post season," said Loyola coach John Dwyer. "Her 8-goal performance against New Trier was epic, including the game-tying goal in the last minute and the game-winner in overtime."

On the season, Lazzaretto scored 112 goals with 36 assists and 81 draw controls for a team that, as of June 22, was ranked 13th in the nation by USA Lacrosse Magazine. That publication named Lazzaretto the Midwest player of the week June 16 after Loyola beat New Trier 13-12 in a sectional final.

Headed to play lacrosse at Duke University, Dwyer said Lazzaretto was co-player of the year in the Girls Catholic Athletic Conference, an Illinois High School Association all-state and all-sectional selection, and a USA Lacrosse All-American and Academic All-American.

Dwyer was hesitant to single out Lazzaretto, though.

"We do like to frame such awards in a team context," he said.

"Maley Starr's 124 draw controls and Catherine Holcomb's team-leading 49 assists were big factors in our team scoring 416 goals. Caroline Smith's 162 saves and our outstanding defenders and midfielders that held opponents to an average of 4.56 goals per game this year gave Ellie and our offense opportunity to score.

"So the 2021 season and the difficult path we had to face as a team in the postseason made for a truly special year. Ellie, all of our seniors and team share this award," Dwyer said.