Riverside-Brookfield High School senior Ava Regan has had a great lacrosse mentor since first grade.
Older brother Aidan is a 2020 RBHS graduate currently playing NCAA Division III men’s lacrosse at the Milwaukee School of Engineering. Regan will play Division III women’s lacrosse at Chapman University in Orange, California.
“I owe a lot of success in lacrosse to my brother. Growing up, he’s always been my biggest supporter and has taught me virtually everything I know,” Regan said. “When I was younger, I did try other sports, but lacrosse was just the one that stuck. Lacrosse is like a getaway for everything going on around me. I love the fast pace of the game and the friendships that I’ve made.”
These days, it’s Regan being the mentor.
The Bulldogs have had a challenging 0-11 season but with a young roster of eight juniors, five sophomores and six freshmen.
On Senior Night on May 1 against Rosary, Regan was the lone honoree. The Bulldogs lost 14-5.
“I feel our success is our ability to be able to have fun while playing despite the record,” Regan said. “The team has grown a lot throughout the season and I can see success for them in the future with consistent hard work. For me personally, this season has been more about enjoying my last year playing at the high school level.”
Regan has 21 of the Bulldogs’ 33 goals with two assists. Junior Mia Diaz (4 goals, 3 assists) and freshman Maggie Porter (3 goals, 3 assists) are the next leading scorers. Regan had a team-best 52 goals with four assists in 2022 and 51 goals and a team-best 14 assists as a sophomore.
The Bulldogs suffered a huge loss when junior standout Maggie Durkin (2 goals) suffered a season-ending knee injury two games into this season. Like Regan, Durkin has continued to be a guiding force as the Bulldogs’ co-captains. Regan also was a co-captain in 2022.
“It’s been pretty difficult. On the field, Maggie and I have a great connection and she’s such a talented player,” Regan said. “Maggie still being at home games serves as a motivator for me. She’s able to see things that I can’t while on the field so it’s beneficial that we are able to communicate to the team what needs to change or stay consistent.”
Regan anticipates a picture-perfect opportunity at Chapman, which includes Geneva’s Olivia Holmes, her club teammate from True Lacrosse.
Regan has been accepted into Chapman’s nationally ranked film school and will major in creative producing, which focuses on business aspects and content creation of the entertainment industry. Regan hopes to pursue marketing for sports teams.
“It was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up,” Regan responded. “I love the location of the school. There’s so much to do around, and it’s California so the weather is beautiful.”
