The 2026 Deseret News girls lacrosse players of the year weren’t just great players, but their unselfishness helped make their teammates better as well.
And while only one of the three ultimately hoisted the state championship trophy, Skyridge’s Summer Buechner, Brighton’s Sophie Nielsen and Bear River’s Jeanine Webb were elite goal scorers and playmakers in their respective classifications that led their teams to great success.
Here’s a look at the 2026 Deseret News girls lacrosse Players of the Year.
6A Player of the Year
Summer Buechner, Skyridge, Attack, So.
Summer Buechner’s tremendous stick stills for Skyridge led to one of the best statistical seasons in state history.
The sophomore led the state in points, assists and draw controls, and also led her team in ground balls and caused turnovers as she helped push the Falcons to the brink of the 6A title, coming up just short in the 6A final by one goal.
“Summer is a pass-first player and a wizard with a stick. Anyone who has played against her this season can attest to the fact that her stick skills just look different than anyone else on the field, and she makes plays that defy explanation,” said Skyridge coach, and Buechner’s mom, Michelle Buechner.
The final tally for Summer Buechner this year was 75 goals, 99 assists, 174 points, 212 draw controls, 74 ground balls and 64 caused turnovers.
She recorded four assists in the championship game against Riverton.
Her coach said Summer Buechner improved in every statistical category after her breakthrough freshman season a year ago, even more impressive when you consider it came against a tougher strength of schedule.
On top of all of that, with her past-first mentality, she helped four other teammates surpass the 50-goal plateau this season.
5A Player of the Year
Sophie Nielsen, Brighton, Midfield, Sr.
The state’s largest girls lacrosse classification was loaded with talented players across the Wasatch Front, and Brighton senior Sophie Nielsen measured right up there with the best of them.
A two-sport start along with basketball, Nielsen led 5A this season in scoring 109 goals to go along with her 46 ground balls. She improved her goal-scoring output by 40 goals in leading the Bengals to a 5A quarterfinal appearance.
A four-year starter at Brighton in lacrosse and basketball, she graduates as Brighton’s all-time leading scorer in both sports.
“In my 14-year coaching career, she’s one of the hardest working athletes I’ve ever seen,” said Brighton coach Melissa Nash. “Sophie is a record breaker.
“What makes Sophie a next-level athlete isn’t just the points she puts up, or her crazy defensive stops. It’s the way she expects excellence from herself everywhere — on the court, on the turf, in the classroom, on the bus, in the hallways. Sophie holds herself to an incredibly high standard, and because of that, the people around her rise, too.”
Nielsen had two different 10-goal games this season, against Weber and Woods Cross.
“Great athletes don’t just leave stats, they leave a standard, and Sophie has done that — a standard of hard work, dedication, toughness, teamwork and leadership that this program will feel long after she graduates,” Nash said.
4A Player of the Year
Jeanine Webb, Bear River, Attack, So.
Jeanine Webb’s team-first mentality was one of the catalysts to another banner year for Bear River in 2026.
“Her leadership, lacrosse IQ and willingness to put the team first helped create opportunities for her teammates and set the tone for our program every day,” said Bear River coach Jeremy Webb.
“Jeanine’s impact goes far beyond the stat sheet, and she was a major reason for our team’s success this season.”
Jeanine Webb stuffed the stat sheet as well, with 77 goals, 91 assists, 168 points and a 87% draw-win percentage. She added 44 ground balls and caused 30 turnovers also.
With Webb leading the way, Bear River won a fifth straight 4A state championship and extended its winning streak to 79 straight contests.
“Jeanine Webb is one of the most selfless players I have ever coached. She cares more about the success of her teammates and our team than she does about her own accomplishments, and she is always willing to do whatever is needed to help us win,” said coach Webb.
Webb’s 168 points and 91 assists rank second in the entire state this season.