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Prior Lake's Ward, Lakeville South's Moes headline girls lacrosse All-American, all-state teams

By Ethan Olson, SportsEngine, 06/29/23, 5:30PM CDT

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See who else was selected to the teams, including the all-academic team.

Prior Lake's Rachel Ward (21) earned several end-of-season honors, including the Jackie Pitts Award. Photo by Mark Hvidsten, SportsEngine

Prior Lake's Rachel Ward (21) earned several end-of-season honors, including the Jackie Pitts Award. Photo by Mark Hvidsten, SportsEngine

Prior Lake senior Rachel Ward shined this season. 

First, the midfielder was selected by Minnesota coaches to the all-state first team. She also earned US Lacrosse All-American and All-Academic honors, and was awarded the renowned Jackie Pitts Award, which is given by US Lacrosse to recognize "high school seniors who go above and beyond in service to their team, school and community," according to the organization's website. 

Ward was vital in helping Prior Lake to a 13-2 overall record and a second-place finish in the South Suburban Conference standings with a 6-1 mark. The Lakers' season ended in the Class 1A, Section 6 championship game, where they fell to Edina in overtime.

Ward had a team-best in points (65), which was tied with fellow All-American and teammate Nina Winter, who led Prior Lake in assists with 27.

Meanwhile, the Star Tribune's 2023 Metro Player of the Year Award ended up in the hands of Lakeville South's superstar attacker Emily Moes, who was also named an All-American as well as All-Academic and all-state first team. The state's leading scorer (128 points) racked up 81 goals and 47 assists, good for first and third in the state respectively.

The senior star also helped lead Lakeville South to a third-place finish in this year's state tournament, in a thrilling 17-9 victory over Stillwater on June 17. Moes' teammates attacker Gabby Bouman and midfielders Tori Tschida, Sivanna O'Brien and Katie Grubbs on the All-American team — giving the Cougars the most players on this year's list with five. 

Benilde-St. Margaret's, the 2023 state champion, featured two players on this year's All-American roster — midfielder Julia Evens and goalie Brooke Nelson. The Red Knights are also represented by four players on all-state teams and two all-academic team members. 

View the lists of players below to see who else was named to each team.

All-American Team

Name Position School
Emily Moes Attacker Lakeville South
Gabby Bouman Attacker Lakeville South
Nina Winter Attacker Prior Lake
Julia Evens Midfielder Benilde-St. Margaret's
Allie Welder Midfielder Chanhassen
Mary Velner Midfielder Edina
Nicola Santoni Midfielder Edina
Tori Tschida Midfielder Lakeville South
Sivanna O'Brien Midfielder Lakeville South
Katie Grubbs Midfielder Lakeville South
Rachel Ward Midfielder Prior Lake
Megan Sporney Midfielder Prior Lake
Tori Liljegren Midfielder Stillwater
Ellie Morrison Midfielder Blake
Brooke Nelson Goalie Benilde-St. Margaret's

US Lacrosse All-Americans are the best players from their area. They exhibit superior skills and techniques, possess exceptional game sense and knowledge, and embody good sportsmanship, according to the organization's website.


All-State Team


All-Academic Team

Name Position School
Izzy Garvin Defense Benilde-St. Margaret's
Brooke Nelson Goalie Benilde-St. Margaret's
Annabelle Johnson Midfield Champlin Park
Jadyn Hanh Defense Chanhassen
Katie Colleran Goalie Chanhassen
Allie Welder Midfield Chanhassen
Anna Stangler Midfield Cretin-Derham Hall
Brinley Hopper Attack Eden Praire
Lauren Rice Midfield Eden Praire
Kylie Bamlett Midfield Eden Praire
Uma Corniea Goalie Edina
Nicola Santoni Midfield Edina
Emily Moes Attack Lakeville South
Tori Tschida Midfield Lakeville South
Rachel Ward Midfield Prior Lake

A US Lacrosse All-Academic Player is one who exhibits exemplary lacrosse skills, good sportsmanship on the field, represents high standards of academic achievement in the classroom, and volunteers within their community, according to the organization's website. Nominated players must meet several criteria, including having a minimum cumulative (freshman year through application deadline) 3.7 GPA out of a 4.0 academic scale.

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