Zoe Doerger `28 Showcases Skills at National Lacrosse Tournament Under Coach Allison-Prophater’s Leadership

In late May, Zoe Doerger `28 (Glendale) and Marisol Allison-Prophater, girls lacrosse coach and Lower School collaborative teacher, represented Cincinnati Country Day School at the national level at the USA Lacrosse Women’s National Tournament (WNT), held at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst.

Zoe, one of only 20 student-athletes selected to the Southern Ohio High School Girls Team, was chosen after a competitive tryout process that saw 26 players from across the region (Cincinnati, Dayton, and Columbus area high schools) vying for a spot on the team. Marisol, who has been coaching at Country Day for four years and was selected to coach the team alongside Tim Bilbrey, McNicholas High School’s varsity girls lacrosse coach, helped evaluate the tryouts.

“Zoe impressed all the evaluators with her skill, athleticism, and lacrosse IQ,” says Marisol. “She truly earned her spot on this team, and I was thrilled to have the opportunity to coach her on the national level.”

A sophomore in the 2025-26 school year, Marisol has coached Zoe since her middle school days and praised Zoe for being a key contributor on the lacrosse team this past spring. As a freshman, Zoe tallied 16 goals, 28 draw controls, and a team-leading 26 ground balls.

“She is physical and goes after everything 100 percent,” says Marisol.

The USA Lacrosse WNT is a prestigious showcase for top players across the country, with each team composed of all-stars from their respective states. Competing in the Great Lakes bracket, Southern Ohio went undefeated in pool play with wins over an Iowa/Nebraska team (by a score of 14-3), the USA Lacrosse house team (19-3), and Utah (12-9), before falling in the championship to a combined team from Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming (12-6).

Despite the runner-up finish, Zoe made her presence known. She recorded one goal, four assists, 10 draw controls, 14 ground balls, and one caused turnover.

“There was so much that Zoe and the team showed to scouting college coaches, so much lacrosse knowledge gained, and so many memories and friendships made,” Marisol says. “Their energy on the field was seamless; it looked as if they had been playing together for years.”

For Marisol, the experience was personally meaningful as well. A former player in the same national tournament a decade ago, she reflected on the full-circle moment of returning as a coach.

“I cannot wait to see Zoe take what she has learned and implement it into our growing program. I’m equally excited to apply what I learned as a coach into our future here at Country Day.”