#25 West Chester East at #8 North PennWest Chester East
- 10-8 overall
- Compete in Chesmont League
- Lost three of four games to close out the season, but two of those losses were at the hands of the district’s first and third seeded teams – Downingtown East and Garnet Valley.
North Penn
- 10-2 SOL Continental Conference champions, 17-1 overall
- Ninth consecutive year in districts
Players to watch: Macie Hauck, Tory Brady, Emilie Ikeda, Jenna Stover, Brenda McDermott, Rachel Shaw, Steph Knauer, Garrie Grenfield “But it truly has been a team effort all year long,” coach Jami Wilus said.
Coach Jami Wilus says: “West Chester East is a very good team. If you look at their record, it does not nearly indicate the level at which they play. West Chester East features four Division One signees and will be a good first round test for our team. Our group is excited to get started with district play and will take it one game at a time and focus on what we need to do to continue to play at a high level. Our senior leadership will be key in making sure our team stays focused and ready to go for each and every game. I hope our experience from the past two seasons of making it to the state playoffs will serve us well in the coming weeks.”
#24 Spring-Ford at #9 Upper Dublin
Spring-Ford
- 9-4 PAC-10, 11-6 overall
- Common opponent: The Rams lost to Boyertown twice (9-2 on March 28 and 10-9 on April 25).
- Lost three of four games to open season but went on to win seven straight before losing three of last six games.
Upper Dublin
- 12-0 SOL American Conference champions, 14-4 overall
- Common opponent: The Flying Cardinals defeated Boyertown 10-8 of April 9
Players to watch: Kelly Cross (Jr., Midfield), Brooke Callahan (Jr., Attack), Kaley Weinstein (Sr., Midfield), Emily Hitchings (Jr., Midfield), Steph Speese (Jr., Defense)
Coach Dee Cross says: “We are excited to be in the playoffs again. We know Spring-Ford will be a tough game for us. When playoffs start, the seed is just a number so we have to be ready to bring our best effort and play like I know we are capable of playing. Every player needs to be ready to step on the field and give 150 percent to beat any team in the playoffs. We hope to represent the American Conference well!”
#22 Abington at #11 Council Rock North
Abington
- 6-2 SOL, 9-6 overall
- Finished second to Council Rock North in National Conference. Lost to Rock North twice (15-7 on April 18 and 8-6 on May 5).
- Lost Temple-bound senior Molly Seefried for half the season to a concussion
Players to watch: Carli Fitzgerald, Meredith Cox, Hannah Sojohlm, Elisa Macall, Ana Kumor, Julie Gallagher, Emily Towey
Coach Chris Aquilino says: “Ana Kumor and Julie Gallagher are going to have to deal with Kara Magley. We face guarded her the last time, and we’re going to have to face guard her on Tuesday too. I’m sure she knows it’s coming. We have to take her out of the game somehow because she’s just too good. We have Emily Towey in goal, and if Emily has a hot day, she can keep us in the game herself. Other than that, my young attack players have to step up – not only down on offense but on the draw. We only scored six goals against them the last time and scored seven the time before that, so the chances of us scoring over 10 goals are slim and none, especially without Molly. We have to play strong defensively, and we have to be smart with the ball offensively. We don’t want to get in a running match with them. We don’t have the players to do that. I told the girls, ‘You have to bring your A game, you have to be intense, you have to play physical.’ They’re a great team, they’re a strong team.”
Council Rock North
- 8-0 SOL National Conference champions, 13-2 overall
- Defeated Abington twice during the regular season (15-7 on April 18 and 8-6 on May 5)
- Indians have won 12 in a row since losing to North Penn 7-6 on March 30
Players to watch: Lindsay Rheiner, Becky Ely, Kara Magley, Hannah Plappert, Caitlin Hannagen, Bridget Doyle, Nora Simcox, Taylor Beck
Co-coach Pat Toner says: “Council Rock North is excited to enter the playoffs. Abington is always a challenge since they are a talented team, but at this point, all the teams are talented and a challenge.”
#21 Souderton at #12 Hatboro-Horsham
Souderton
- 8-4 SOL, 13-5 overall
- Lost to Hatboro-Horsham twice during the regular season (15-14 on April 12 and 22-11 on May 5)
- Indians won seven of eight games before losing two of their last three to close out the season
Players to watch: Danielle Notvest (Sr., Midfield), Kirstin Russell (Sr., Midfield), Melinda Wojt (Sr., Defense)
Coach Nicole Bauer says: “We have earned a spot in districts in each of the past couple of years, and in each of our last couple of (district) games, we have kicked it into gear in the second half but just have not had enough time to pull out a win. This year our goal was not to just make it to districts but to make it past the first round. I look forward to seeing if the girls come out to play two halves.”
Hatboro-Horsham
- 10-2 SOL, 15-2 overall
- Twice defeated Souderton during the regular season (15-14 on April 12 and 22-11 on May 5)
- The Hatters only two losses came at the hands of Continental Conference champion North Penn (9-8 on April 8 and 11-9 on May 3)
Players to watch: Courtnee Daley (Jr., Attack), Lizzy Carr (Jr., Midfield), Caroline Hagan (Jr., Defense), Julie McKay (Jr., Defense), Nicole Beck (Jr., Attack). Rachel Rausa (Fr., Midfield)
Coach Duncan Swezey says: “We’ve faced Souderton twice already, and even though we beat them twice, by no means are we looking at this and saying we have it wrapped up. I told the girls, ‘I know how Souderton played in the last five minutes the first time we played them, and I saw Souderton play North Penn.’ It’s going to be a possession game. If you add up the draw controls and ground balls, whoever gets the most, I’m going to make a bet that’s the team that wins. Even though we beat them twice already – I think it’s a 50-50 game. I know people outside looking in might say we’re supposed to have the advantage. I’m not walking into that game thinking we have the advantage. You don’t like to play teams three times. They tried things once – that doesn’t work. They tried something else, and that didn’t work. Now they get to try the third thing. Time will tell.”
#23 Central Bucks South at #10 Boyertown
Central Bucks South
- 6-6 SOL, 10-8 overall
Players to watch: Kelly Hamilton (Sr., Attack Wing), Maddie Dibrino (Sr., Defense), Casey Haegele (Sr., Midfield), Kayla Kenney (Jr., Attack)
Coach Janique Craig says: “Having four teams from our conference participating in playoffs just shows how competitive our conference is. We were right on the bubble, but because we played a tougher schedule, I think that helped us. In regards to Boyertown – we need to be sure we win the draw control, maintain possession and make sure we move the ball. They’re a well-balanced team, and I think we have a well-balanced team. We have some young players, but they’ve been playing all season, and they’re not young anymore. Boyertown played North Penn and lost by two goals, and our first game against North Penn – we had a great game and lost by two goals. I think anyone can win at anytime, and that’s what I will tell my girls before we step on the field. We are the underdog, but anyone can win on any day.”
Boyertown
- 13-0 PAC-10, 16-4 overall
- The Bears defeated Methacton 13-7 to capture their eighth consecutive PAC-10 title
- The Bears bring a 10-game winnings streak into districts. Their last loss came on April 19 when they fell to Archbishop Carroll 16-13.
#27 Pennsbury at #6 Radnor
Pennsbury
- 4-4 SOL, 10-6 overall
- This is the first time in the history of the program that the Falcons have earned a berth in districts.
Players to watch: Liz Cowley (Sr., Midfield), Taylor Hickman (Sr., Attack), Kelsy Gumbert (Soph., Midfield), Liana Eyre (Soph., Goalie)
Coach Kelly White says: “I am very excited and proud of my team. They worked very hard in the off-season and sacrificed their time to improve. They attended Radnor Fall Ball and Ampro Winter Ball - which are located in Delaware County - to be exposed to great lacrosse and to improve their skills. Additionally, we had 6 a.m. practices three days a week just to focus on shooting, catching and throwing. Their dedication and work ethic paid off in the end. We will be facing an amazing team in Radnor, and our focus will be on the skill sets we can control. Decision making and an aggressive style of play will be vital. The girls need to take care of the ball when they have possession and keep it simple - boxing out on ground balls to gain control. Most of all, my team needs to play with pride, heart and desire to improve our game every chance we have. I can’t think of any better way to complete this goal than to face one of the best lacrosse programs in the state.”
Radnor
- 13-5 overall
- The Red Raiders opened their season by winning 10 of 11 games. They have lost four of their last seven games heading into the postseason.
#28 Wissahickon at #5 Springfield (Delco)
Wissahickon
- 10-2 SOL, 12-6 overall
- Wissahickon’s only two losses in league play both came at the hands of Upper Dublin.
- The Trojans enter the post-season with a three-game winning streak.
Players to watch: Emily Croke (Sr., Midfield), Jessica Scannapieco (Sr., Goalie), Zoe Kale (Jr.), Laura Frankenfield (Soph.), Jackie Hibbs (Soph.)
Coach Jamie Donahue says: "Our team prepped with great intensity. We have nothing to lose, which is a great situation to be in. We repsect Springfield-Delco, and some of my girls know them well because of club team involvement. Looking forward to our game. This is what competition is all about."
Springfield (Delco)
- 16-2 overall
- Springfield has not lost since it fell to Garnet Valley 13-12 on April 29. Its only other loss came at the hands of Harriton 15-13 on April 15.
- Springfield brings a seven-game winning streak into the postseason.
#31 Cheltenham at #3 Garnet Valley
Cheltenham
- 7-5 SOL, 11-7 overall
- The Lady Panthers won seven of their last nine games after opening the season 4-5.
Players to watch: Madison Brunk (Sr., Midfield), Olivia Dudo (Sr., Midfield), Rachel McManus (Sr., Attack), Sammie McManus (Soph., Midfield), Emily Leibovitz (Soph., Midfield), Allison Hawkins (Soph., Midfield), Gabby McManus (Soph., Midfield), Madison Coyne (Soph., Goalie)
Coach Dave Burton says: “It is a great honor and reward for our young team that has worked extremely hard and improved greatly over the course of the year. Our success has resulted from a collaborative effort this season. This is the first time we have been to the playoffs since 2008, so I am happy for the girls. We are realistic in terms of our expectations but are grateful for this opportunity. For most of our team, the greatest part of this is that the season will continue. This team loves one another, so they are happy that the season was extended and that they will get to spend a little more time together!”
Garnet Valley
- 16-2 overall
- The Jaguars have won 13 in a row since losing to Radnor on April 7.
- Garnet Valley’s only two losses of the season came at the hands of Radnor (17-10) and Strath Haven (14-13 in overtime)
- The Jaguars’ biggest win came on April 29 when they downed perennial power Springfield (Delco) 13-12
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