David Lachs, a senior forward from Byram Hills High School (Armonk, N.Y.), and Kayla Jennings, a junior midfielder from Montclair High School (Montclair, N.J.), are the NSCAA/TopDrawerSoccer.com High School Players of the Week.

Lachs moved from the midfield to forward before the season, which paid massive dividends for his New York side this season. He got Byram Hills’ postseason run off to a hot start last week with hat tricks in each of the team’s first two games in the NYS Large School Sectional Playoffs. That helped Byram Hills ease past Somers and Eastchester before the team’s season was abruptly ended by Pelham in the sectional semifinal round. Lachs ended his senior campaign with 24 goals in 18 games.

Jennings, a junior with experience on the U15 Girls National Team, has been a wrecking ball in the middle this season for Montclair, which was ranked No. 6 in Region III by the NSCAA last week. The Maryland(w) commit helped that ranking stand by scoring the only goal in a critical 1-0 win over Livingston in the Essex County Tournament final on Livingston’s home turf last week. The goal, which came off a scramble near the penalty area, sent Montclair to a third consecutive Essex County title and push the team’s record to 17-1-0 on the season.

Other boys finalists include Jason Anderson (Mynderse Academy, Seneca Falls, N.Y.) and Cody Bajoo (Malcolm X Shabazz High School, Newark, N.J.). Other girls finalists include Courtney Downer (Bacon Academy, Colchester, Conn.) and Jackie White (Hickory High School, Hermitage, Pa.).

The NSCAA/TopDrawerSoccer.com High School Player of the Week honor is designed to highlight a selection of the nation's rising stars populating the high school ranks. Coaches are free to nominate a boys or girls player each week through our submission form that can be found here. The selection process will take into account a slew of factors from contribution to team results to individual accolades. Honorees are announced each Wednesday.

The next submission deadline will be noon (CT) on Nov. 11 before the Player of the Week announcement on Nov. 13.

 

About the NSCAA

Founded in 1941 and based in Kansas City, Kan., the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) is a non-profit organization with a mission to educate coaches, encourage excellence and serve the soccer community.

The NSCAA is the world’s largest soccer coaches’ organization with members at every level of the game. The membership is primarily made up of coaches, but also includes administrators, referees and others in the soccer industry. The NSCAA provides its members ways to enhance the game of soccer by providing a national education program, interaction and networking opportunities, and membership benefits.

For more information about the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, visit NSCAA.com.