Shore Conference Girls Lacrosse Player of the Year: Rachel James, Rumson-Fair Haven

Doing whatever her team needs is what Rachel James thrives on. Setting the tempo, winning draw controls, scoring goals, being the teams biggest cheerleader- James does it all. Due to her overall impact in every phase of the game, Rumson-Fair Haven’s Rachel James is the 2025 Shore Conference Girls Lacrosse Player of the Year.

RFH’s Rachel James (Photo by Tom Smith tspsportsimages.com)

James scored 81 points this season (65 goals, 16 assists). She also scooped 32 ground balls, won 142 draw controls, and forced 23 turnovers. James tied her season high with 5 goals to lead the Bulldogs to the 2025 Shore Conference Championship in a victory over Southern Regional, and scored 4 goals in the Bulldogs’ 10-9 double overtime win over Mountain Lakes to win the Group 1 State Championship. Her career totals include 255 goals, 71 assists, 326 points, 136 ground balls, 320 draw controls, and 95 forced turnovers. Perhaps the most impressive statistical accomplishment was becoming Rumson Fair-Haven’s all-time leading scoring, a remarkable feat at the Shore Conference’s most prestigious girls lacrosse program.

With James on the field, Rumson-Fair Haven’s record was 78-18 over the last four years. Within the Shore Conference, their record was a remarkable 50-5. In 96 career games, James was held scoreless just twice with both of those games occurring as an underclassman. She recorded 57 hat tricks over the entirety of her career.

Coach Amy O’Keefe had high praise for her senior captain. “Since her freshman year, she’s been an impact player, setting the tone with her intensity, leadership, and relentless drive to compete. As a captain, she leads by example, working so hard to be the best version of herself both on and off the field. She consistently plays to win, always fighting under pressure to find a way to get the ball in the net or motivate her teammates to step up so our team can get the win.”

James will continue her academic and lacrosse career at Loyola University Maryland a national powerhouse.