Following a 17-1 win over Vandegrift last week, Anderson moved up once again in USA Lax Magazine’s high school rankings. They were bumped up one spot to #7 in the South region as they continue to gun for a coveted top 25 spot nationally. Earlier this season, Anderson was ranked by the magazine for the first time ever, and this week, one of their players got their first national media award.
Senior midfielder Annie Small is one of the most important members of the Trojan squad, and she was recognized this week by USA Lax Magazine. She was named the South Region Girl’s Player of the Week. “Anderson is off to an undefeated start and is averaging over 17 goals a game. A big reason for the Trojans’ success this year is senior midfielder Annie Small.” USA Lacrosse Magazine’s Justin Boggs wrote in USA Lax’s article.
The Dartmouth commit has 42 goals and a team-leading 64 points on the season. She has a hat trick in every game but one, including a 5-goal, 7-point outing against the Vipers in the last game. She’s also the main draw taker for the Trojans, a responsibility often overlooked by those not familiar with the ins and outs of the sport.
Despite all of her accomplishments, Small is focused on the bigger picture. Annie said that she’s “glad [she] can contribute and be a part of helping our team to a top ten regional ranking along with every single one of my teammates.” It’s clear Small is a great teammate and cares more about the team than her own awards which are qualities that every coach looks for in a star player.
Moving up to #7 in the rankings is a big deal for the Trojans, but this is just the tip of the iceberg for this team. They have more in the tank and more that they’re going to achieve in the coming weeks. “We know we have to play our best every game to achieve our bigger season goals so we can’t get complacent!” Small told me.
Anderson is looking to take their momentum all the way to winning a second straight Texas state championship, this time in D1. The Trojans are back in action this Saturday on the road. They will visit the Woodlands to face the fifth-best team in the state according to lax numbers. The Highlanders will be a strong opponent, and Anderson will have to be ready if they want to keep their perfect season alive.
This award is a huge honor for Small and the Trojans as a whole. Being outside of the Northeast and other areas with strong lacrosse ties, it’s much harder for Anderson to get recognized by a national media outlet focussing on lacrosse. Not only is Anderson getting recognized as a team, but their players are also starting to get widespread attention. The Trojans aren’t just a great team, they’re beginning to build a brand as one of the best programs west of the Mississippi.
Wonderful article Jack!! 👏👏👍💙💛💙💛