Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 5/30/10
Staff Report
Taylor Trimble, a junior at Episcopal Academy, became only the third player ever to be named a two-time winner of the Heather Leigh Albert Award as the outstanding player in the Schoolgirls Division of the US Lacrosse Women’s Division National Tournament today at Bel Air, MD.
Trimble, who led EA to its sixth straight Inter-Ac League championship and has committed to Duke, helped Philly 1 place third in the top flight of the tourney.
Long Island defeated Baltimore, 15-8, to capture the championship in the tourney, presented by deBeer and the Heather Leigh Albert Foundation. Baltimore had rallied from a three-goal halftime deficit to beat Philly 1 in the semifinals.
In the Seniors Only Division, Philly’s Royal squad defeated Forest (Maryland/Virginia), 17-7, to claim the championship. The Philly 4 team lost in the finals in the Tuscarora Division to South Florida, 15-5.
The Heather Leigh Albert Award was created to recognize the most outstanding schoolgirl lacrosse player in the Nation, in spirit as well as athletic ability. Miss Albert, who passed away in 1993, played at Germantown Academy and Perkiomen Prep and later attended Loyola and Villanova while also coaching at Lawrenceville School (N.J.) and Notre Dame Academy.
Trimble said she was stunned to be awarded the prestigious honor again.
“I felt like I contributed most on the draw controls,” said Trimble. “It is so important in every single game.
“But when they said I got the award again, I was so shocked. I can’t even describe what it was like. It is so incredible to be a part of that for another year. To be recognized twice … I still can’t believe it.”
The first two-time winner was Baltimore’s Sheehan Stanwick in 1996-97. Stanwick played at Georgetown University. Also, Baltimore’s Megan Bosica (North Carolina) won the honor in 2004-05. Previous Philly winners included two other Duke players, Baldwin School’s Emma Hamm (2006) and Germantown Academy’s Amanda Jones (2007) and current Ridley coach Beth (Potter) Bryan in 1994. Potter Bryan, who graduated from Ridley, played at Virginia and led the Philly team to the crown that year.
The other Heather Leigh Albert Award finalists were:
* Corinne Etchison (Baltimore Metro 1, McDonogh)
* Chelsea Landon (Eastern Lower New England 1, Noble & Greenough)
* Kelly McPartland (Long Island Metro 1, Farmingdale)
* Anna Salemo (Colorado, Heritage)
* Brigid Smith (DC Metro 1, Good Counsel)
* Courtney Swan (South Florida, Vero Beach)
* Courtney Valdez (So Cal, Foothill)
Georgetown’s Ashby Kaestner received the Aimee Willard Award as the outstanding collegiate player in the tournament. Kaestner led her team to the championship and President’s Cup in the Stars & Stripes Division.
Championship Scores:
Onondaga: Long Island Metro 1 defeated Baltimore Metro 1, 15-8
Seneca: Long Island Metro 3 defeated DC Metro 2, 10-8
Oneida: Baltimore Metro 3 defeated Hudson Valley, 12-10
Tuscarora: South Florida ddefeated Philly 4, 15-5
Mohawk: Texas defeated Nor Cal, 9-8
Cayuga: Washington defeated Indiana/Kentucky, 12-5
Seniors Only: Royal defeated Forest, 17-7
Editor’s Note: This explanation comes from the Heather Leigh Albert Foundation website.
“Heather Leigh Albert (May 1972 – November 1993) of New Hope, PA was an extraordinary person and athlete. More important was her spirit and attitude about her family, friends and life. Heather attended Germantown Academy and was a graduate of Perkiomen Preparatory. She later attended Loyola College and Villanova University.
She was a wonderful motivator and teacher and used her talents to coach at Lawrenceville Academy and Notre Dame de Namur.”
