Milton High School lacrosse player Ava Thompson is ITG Next’s May 2025 Georgia Female Athlete of the Month.
Thompson, who plays the position of defender, just finished her junior season as a member of the Milton girls lacrosse squad. She was an All-State First Team selection and named the 2025 Defensive Player of the Year.
Her outstanding play helped lead the Milton Lady Eagles to their eighth straight, and 18th overall, girls lacrosse state championship. Milton has competed for the state title in each of the 20 years of the program’s existence, a run of success that is unparalleled in Georgia high school athletics.
Under head coach Tim Godby, Milton girls lacrosse finished the 2025 season with a 20-2 overall record, including a perfect 3-0 record in Area 6-Division 2.
Milton defeated Creekview 17-5 in the Division 2 state title game. The Lady Eagles ended their season on a nine-game winning streak, which started in the regular season, extended into the playoffs, and ended with the decisive victory in the state finals.
Thompson finished the 2025 season with 26 ground balls and 27 caused turnovers. Ground balls refer to the number of times a player gains possession of the ball when it’s loose on the ground. It’s one of the most important statistics in lacrosse, as a ground ball gives that player’s team a chance to score. Caused turnovers refer to the number of times a player causes the opponent to lose possession of the ball. It is a leading measure of a player’s defensive effectiveness and one of the biggest reasons Thompson was named the state’s top defender this season.
“Ava is always two steps ahead, cutting off passing lanes, timing slides expertly, angling her attacker precisely,” said Megan den Exter, Milton girls lacrosse assistant coach. “Her stats tell you she’s a leader… Her one-V-one defense makes her a very solid and consistent player.”
Speaking about Thompson’s performance and effect on the team’s state title run, den Exter said, “She was my lighthouse for her teammates, and her communication skills were outstanding.”
She has committed to Stanford University to continue her lacrosse career in college, but she still has one more season remaining at Milton, which means one more chance to win another state title.
Thompson also plays defender for the Eagle Stix club team.
Congratulations to Milton lacrosse player Ava Thompson, ITG Next’s May 2025 Georgia Female Athlete of the Month.
