A full contingent of top high school lacrosse stars would stand out as part of the annual Under Armour All-American games, which were held July 6 at Johnny Unitas Stadium at Towson University near Baltimore.
First, the girls game took place, with Marisa Romeo and Taylor Poplawski, fresh off leading CBA to the state Class B championship, on the North squad with Jordan-Elbridge’s Kelsey Youmell. Cazenovia graduate Kara Cannizzaro, who led North Carolina to the NCAA championship this spring, served as a coach.
All of them would help the North beat the South 18-16. Trailing 8-7 at halftime, North charged in front in the second half as Poplawski tied Cortney Fortunato (the game’s Most Valuable Player) as they led North with four goals apiece.
Poplawski, who is going to Syracuse University, praised as perhaps the fastest player on the field for either side, added an assist as the Harvard-bound Romeo scored twice and offered valuable assistance on the defensive end.
Meanwhile, Youmell, a defender joining Poplawski at SU in 2014, started on the back line for North, and was credited for hustle all over the field as she picked up a pair of crucial ground balls.
Then it was the boys turn for its Under Armour All-American game, telecast nationally by ESPNU. Four local players – Cazenovia’s Connor Cannizzaro, Baldwinsville’s Parker Ferrigan and Jamesville-DeWitt teammates Jordan Evans and Scott Firman – played for the North squad.
Offenses dominated on both ends as the South team prevailed, 28-24, taking the lead in the second quarter by outscoring North 10-4 to break up a 4-4 tie. North closed the gap to 20-17 by the end of the third period, but South would hang on.
Evans, who is expected to make an immediate impact at SU, finished with three goals. Cannizzaro, headed for Maryland, picked up a goal and two assists, while Firman gained two ground balls in his defensive stint.
As for Ferrigan, he played 30 minutes during the 60-minute game (12 more than the typical high school lacrosse game), earning five saves and hustling to pick up four ground balls before the night was done.
