The 2015-16 American Family Insurance ALL-USA Girls Lacrosse Teams are selected by Casey Vock of 3dRising.com based on performance, level of play and strength of schedule. The ALL-USA Player of the Year is Lizzie Colson from Manchester Valley (Manchester, Md.).

MORE:

ALL-USA Girls Lacrosse: First Team

ALL-USA Girls Lacrosse: Second Team

ALL-USA Girls Lacrosse: Third Team

ALL-USA Coach of the Year: Chris Robinson, McDonogh School (Owings Mills, Md.)

ALL-USA Team of the Year: McDonogh School (Owings Mills, Md.)

PRESEASON: ALL-USA Preseason Girls Lacrosse Teams

LOOKBACK: 2014-15 ALL-USA Girls Lacrosse Team

ALL-USA Girls Lacrosse Player of the Year Lizzie Colson (Photo: Shelly Breznicki)

Manchester Valley’s Lizzie Colson entered the season having already left her mark on the Maryland lacrosse scene.

A two-time state champion entering the year and a highly decorated midfielder on the girls lacrosse team, Colson managed to overcome adversity – personally and with her team – to lift the Mavericks to their third consecutive Maryland 2A/1A state title and, in the process, cemented herself as one of the nation’s all-time greatest players.

Hampered by a foot injury, the Maryland recruit moved to attack from midfield to start the season. There, she faced even more defensive pressure each game as teams focused on stopping her, oftentimes shutting her off.

Still, the multi-sport athlete managed to set the Carroll County single-season scoring record with 108 goals, also adding 39 assists and 43 draw controls. Her 300 career goals place her second in county history behind Katie Schwarzmann, a two-time Tewaaraton Trophy winner Maryland.

For her accomplishments, Colson has been named the American Family Insurance ALL-USA Girls Lacrosse Player of the Year.

“Lizzie is without a doubt one of the best players I have ever coached,” Manchester Valley coach Shelly Brezicki said. “What sets her apart is her work ethic. She’s the most dedicated player I’ve ever coached. As coaches, we have to motivate athletes to push themselves. It was sometimes the opposite with Lizzie. I would have to tell her to slow down and take a rest and help her manage her desire to achieve goals and help the team win.”

Colson’s drive to win was amplified following Manchester Valley’s 7-6 upset loss to Mt. Hebron in the second game of the season. It was a hard result to accept for Colson and a team that had not lost since the 2014 season and owned the last two state titles.

At that point, Colson’s minutes were limited as she recovered from her foot injury. But after consulting numerous doctors, Colson, her family and her coaches decided the team captain would take the field in earnest, but would move down to attack to limit the chance of reinjuring herself.

“She knew she could be a leader off the field, and most days played through pain to be able to just be there for her team and that just shows the selfless player she is to put the team ahead of herself,” Brezicki said. “Lizzie is a doer, a motivator, and a completely humble person who is wowed by the accolades she gets.”

The honors rolled in for Colson following the season, which also saw her set a record in the state final with an eye-popping 12-point performance in the Mavericks’ convincing 22-3 win against Fallston.

Colson, who said she didn’t “become this good by accident,” but by dedicating herself to training and practicing on her own time, was happy to just get on the field for her senior year after what could have been a season-ending injury in the fall.

“As I got rolling, my foot started to feel better, then I realized I can’t let my foot hold me back, and I couldn’t let myself what would happen if my foot starts hurting.”

Colson finishes her career with 396 points and 220 draw controls and will head to Maryland as a player expected to make an immediate impact as a freshman.

“My teammates have pushed me and my coaches have always helped me,” Colson said. “They’re always there to help me and get my back. It’s a combination of staying extra hours and putting in the work, and my teammates pushing me to be better every day. I couldn’t ask for a better group of teammates and coaches.”