Prep lacrosse players get honored for play

After cruising through the regular season with only one loss, the Judge Memorial lacrosse team had some high hopes going into the state tournament.

Those hopes were almost realized before the Bulldogs fell in a tightly contested championship match with Alta.

Still, Judge had plenty to be proud of when the season ended — as did several other area lacrosse teams.

The Bulldogs were well represented on the all-state team as Stewart Allen (attack), Kyle Brennan (midfield) and Matt Duke-Rosati (defense) each earned first team honors after the 13-2 season.

They were joined by West's Nick Merrell and Olympus' Danny Polityka on the first team. Polityka was named the state's best midfielder by coaches.

The second team is also represented with players from the area. Joe MacPherson from Judge and Patrick Matheson from Olympus honored on the Division A squad.

Matheson was named the offensive MVP in the recent high school all-star game. The BYU-bound player scored four goals to lead the Division I North stars to a win over the all stars from the south.

On the Division I girls all-state teams, the Olympus/Highland combo team placed Sam Jensen (attack) and Melissa Nash (midfield on the second team.

West's Adrianne Smith was a second-team honoree as a goalkeeper, while fellow Panther Erica Lichthardt, a junior, received a similar honor for her work as a defender.

2007 all-state lacrosse teams

GIRLS DIVISION I

Offensive MVP

Megan Clark, Woods Cross

Defensive MVP

Aleisha Matsuura, Murray

Coach of the Year

Paige Hanna, Orem

First team

Attack

Meredith Burrus, Sr., Park City

Piper Judd, Jr., Jordan

Brittany Wellman, Sr., Woods Cross

Midfield

Katie Christensen, Sr., Jordan

Melissa Peterson, Jr., Orem