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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – Carli Fleisher stood on Johns Hopkins University’s Homewood Field Friday afternoon during a break in practice for the All-America Girls Lacrosse Game.

She still couldn’t believe it.

“It’s such an honor just being here. I’ve been watching this game since I was little, looking up to these girls. It’s just an awesome experience to get to come and actually to be in it,” said Fleisher. “The girls are top of the top and it’s going to be so much fun playing with them.”

Fleisher, a recent graduate of Florida's American Heritage-Delray, will be among 46 of the nation’s elite on the hallowed Homewood Field turf Saturday evening. The attack will play for the North squad.

Fleisher, the 10th-ranked player nationally by Inside Lacrosse, finished with 62 goals, 58 assists and 14 ground balls. Fleisher spent her first three seasons at Marjory Stoneman Douglass in nearby Parkland.

“Going into college, I wanted to take the best reps possible. I felt American heritage had the program that I was looking for to excel my game even further,” said Fleisher, who will play for Northwestern University. “It was a great experience and glad I did it.”

Fleisher, USA Lacrosse Magazine’s National Player of the Year as well as the Palm Beach Player of the Year, will leave the warm comforts of Florida for Chicago and its brutal winters and, sometimes, early springs at Northwestern.

“When you get to the school you want, you get that feeling,” said Fleisher, who visited Northwestern last fall.“From the coaching staff, to the facilities, the girls on the team, it was an easy decision for me.”

Fleisher will be the fifth Florida performer in the 17-year history of the All-American Girls’ game. Olivia Adamson (Syracuse/Lake Highland Prep) participated in last year’s game.

Ainsley Thompson (2019; Duke/Lake Highland), Erin Bakes (2018; USC/Ransom Everglades), and Katy Pridemore (2014; Liberty/Vero Beach) are the others.

“It’s going to be so cool playing on the same field as those great players,” said Fleisher. “I’m really excited to play with these new girls and see what the top lacrosse is like meshing together at once.”