Check out the Black Bear Lacrosse Club recaps for SOL girls’ lacrosse teams in action Monday.
SOL American Conference
UPPER DUBLIN 12, SPRINGFIELD TWP 0
It was a game loaded with emotions.
For the Upper Dublin girls’ lacrosse team and coach Dee Cross, Monday’s American Conference game against Springfield Twp wasn’t just a matchup between local rivals. It was also a rare and emotional chance for the Cardinals to face a very special face on the opposite sideline.
Springfield Twp coach Katrina Borzelleca not only served as an assistant coach at Upper Dublin for 7 years prior to this season, but she’s also the niece of Cardinals’ coach Cross.
“I talked to the team about it being an emotional game because Coach Borz coached the seniors for the past 3 years,” Cross said. “They loved her as a coach, and I knew it was going to be tough seeing her on the other side of the sideline.”
The Cardinals put aside any pregame jitters or apprehension and jumped out to a 5-0 lead after one quarter. The visitors doubled their lead in the second quarter and rolled to a 12-0 victory over the Spartans.
Caroline Stoffel recorded 5 saves to earn the shutout for the Cardinals, supported by a stellar defensive effort.
Bridget DiMartile led the attack with 5 goals to go along with 4 draw controls and a caused turnover. Maeve Hogan continued her hot streak with a game-high 6 points on 2 goals and 4 assists.
By the numbers: Upper Dublin: Bridget DiMartile (5 goals, 4 DC, 1CTO), Maeve Hogan (2 goals, 4 assists), Emily Buckius (3 goals, 1 CTO), Anna DiMartile (2 goals, 2 DC, 4 GB), Ava Shohen (2 assists, 1 CTO), Shannon Connaughton (1 assist), Abby O’Meara (2 CTO), Liv Coffey (2 CTO), Olivia Broome (1 CTO), Sophia Sirianni (1 CTO), Abby Rucker (1 CTO), Caroline Stoffel (5 saves).
Upper Dublin coach Dee Cross: “The girls responded by taking control of the game from the start. Springfield won the draw battle, 10-6, but I felt like we were able to cause turnovers to regain possession.”
—Defensive dominance: “Our defense played as a unit the whole game and they were really talking and sliding to get some stops. Abby O’Meara, Olivia Broome, Sophia Sirianni, and Liv Coffey worked well together the whole game. Overall, as a team, we had 10 caused turnovers. Caroline Stoffel is getting more comfortable in the goal each game and recorded 5 saves.”
—Family ties: “It is not lost on me how special it is, and I guess even very unusual that I have had the opportunity to coach against Katrina as a player, coach with her at Upper Dublin and now coach against her. She was a player at Plymouth Whitemarsh with Ellen Reilly as her coach and I was the head coach at Abington. I was fortunate enough to have her as an assistant for 7 years at Upper Dublin and now she is the head coach at Springfield. I not only got to coach against my niece, but also my great niece (who plays for the Spartans). Very full circle moment.
“Katrina is ready to be a head coach, and I can’t wait to see what she will do in the future … just not against Upper Dublin.”
Springfield Twp coach Katrina Borzelleca: “This was a hard-fought game from beginning to end. Upper Dublin is a solid team. We struggled to get things going in the beginning of the game, and UD capitalized on any mistakes we made. My midfield did a great job coming up with draw controls, but we struggled to get anything going on offense.
“We are still learning from each other, but I am so proud of the team for the way they come together as a unit. They continue to build each other up, talk through things, and come together to make corrections and find a way to work through it all. We took a lot away from this game and will continue to build on that.”
Up next: The Cardinals (7-1, 4-0 SOL) will put their undefeated league record on the line when they host upstart Cheltenham at 3:30 pm Wednesday. The Spartans (3-3, 2-1) will look to rebound when they host New Hope-Solebury at 3:30 pm on Thursday.
New Hope-Solebury. 5 5 2 0 – 12
Springfield Twp 0 0 0 0 – 0
National Conference
PENNRIDGE 18, QUAKERTOWN 8
Pennridge broke open a close game in the fourth quarter to take an 18-8 win over Quakertown in Monday’s National Conference game.
Taylor Burkett’s eight-point game led the Rams and included six goals and a pair of assists.
Cassidy Lamont was solid in the net for the Panthers.
By the numbers: Pennridge: Leah Verespy (2 goals, 3 assists, 3 GB, 1 DC, 2 CTO), Cayla Wurz (3 goals, 1 GB), Taylor Burkett (6 goals, 2 assists, 2 GB, 1 CTO, 7 DC), Madigan Posey (3 goals, 1 assist, 3 GB, 4 DC), Aubrey Bailey (1 goal, 3 GB, 4 CTO), Gianna Leuthe (3 goals, 2 assists, 1 GB, 2 CTO, 6 DC,) Norah Herbst (2 GB, 5 CTO), Natalie Berke (1 GB, 3 CTO)
Quakertown: Maddie Taylor (3 goals), Casey Rosenberger (2 goals), Molly Kowalski (1 goal) Elaina Milne (1 goal).
Pennridge coach Maddie Dachowski on the game: “Another solid win for the Rams. I’m happy to walk away with another win and a ton of points put on the board. Overall, when we are hitting these midseason games, they are the easiest to let slip up a bit. We definitely let up today and let Quakertown have a few more goals than I would have liked to see, but at the end of the day, a win is a win. I think the rain mixed with some tight calls held us back today. As a team, we are aggressive and rely a lot on our midfield transition and ride play and it just felt like the whistle would not let up no matter what we did. There were a lot of turnovers today from us, which is something we have worked so hard to limit all season. It was just so much back and forth – we needed to focus on possession and decision making. As we look to improve every game, it is tough to walk off feeling like we took a step back. I’m never worried about this group, and we are lucky that even games that didn’t feel like our best are still big wins. My expectations are just very high and so are the girls. We are all on the same page as we reflect on this game and look forward to our next competition.”
–The first half: “In the first quarter, we saw goals from three of our top goal scorers. First to score was Taylor Burkett, who had 6 on the day, off a Madigan Posey feed. Next to score way Cayla Wurz off an assist from Leah Verespy. Last of the quarter was Leah Verespy off a look from Gianna Leuthe.
“The second quarter started with Gianna Leuthe putting up her first. Followed by Taylor Burkett back-to-back goals for an early hat trick, one on her own and one from Leah Verespy. Gianna Leuthe checked back in and put up her second on the day. Last to score on the quarter was Leah Verespy off a Gianna Leuthe feed. Verespy, a 4-year varsity starter for the Rams is creeping up on her 100th goal, sitting at 97 all time. I am so excited to see Leah hit this milestone soon.”
–The second half: “The third quarter I feel like the girls finally locked in and started playing like the unit they are. Our first goal of the quarter was from no other than Madigan Posey who finally got her first. Taylor Burkett got her fourth off an 8m, and Cayla Wurz notched her second off of Leah Verespy’s 3third assist of the game.
“The fourth quarter was filled with points from the Rams. Gianna Leuthe notched her third of the game off an 8m completing her hat trick. Next was Taylor Burkett with her fifth off another 8m. Cayla Wurz completed her hat trick from an assist by Taylor Burkett. Aubrey Bailey was able to get on the score sheet with a solid 8m. Madigan Posey went back-to-back to complete her hat trick with 2 minutes left to go. Taylor Burkett was last on the board for us putting up her sixth and ending the day with 8 points. “
Overall: “We had a good showing and, as always, the score sheet was filled with a ton of different names. Something that makes this unit so strong is that fact that everyone on the offensive end is a threat to cage, period. Midseason checking in on stats, I have 6 players with 20+ points on the season, and 6 players with 15+ goals. Madigan Posey is leading the rams already at 48 points on the season, Gianna Leuthe is at 30 points, Leah Verespy is at 29 points, and Cayla Wurz and Taylor Burkett are right behind both at 28 points. Aubrey Bailey is everywhere for the Rams, leading the defense with 22 caused turnovers and 24 ground balls. She is also at 17 offensive points, which I am very happy with as she has just taken on the role as goal scorer this season. Lily Blair is at 73 saves and going strong.
“Looking forward to another league game vs CR North tomorrow. We are looking to come home with a big win and continue to dominate in the conference. CR North is a string team, and we are ready for a battle.”
Up next: Pennridge (9-1, 4-0 SOL) is back in action at 5 pm today on the road at Council Rock North. Quakertown (3-6, 1-4) will visit Cheltenham at 3:30 pm Friday.
Nonleague
LOWER MORELAND 14, NESHAMINY 3
Seven different players scored as Lower Moreland posted 5 unanswered goals in the first half and took a 9-0 lead into halftime en route to a dominant 14-3 victory over Neshaminy in Monday’s nonleague matchup.
Roya Rosala led the Lions with 4 goals.
Jackie Mull scored twice to lead Neshaminy, while goalkeeper Avery Zack turned aside 7 shots.
By the numbers: Lower Moreland: Olivia Buczacki (1 goal), Roya Rosala (4 goals), Julia McNesby (2 goals), Quinn Rozanski (1 goal), Maddie Broderick (2 goals), Haylee Huber (2 goals), Kenna Rozanski (2 goals).
Neshaminy: Emma Roney (1 goal), Jackie Mull (2 goals), Reese Merrill (2 DC), Delaney Mee (3 DC), Maria Mitchell (1 DC), Avery Zack (7 saves).
Up next: Lower Moreland (5-4, 2-2 SOL) will visit William Tennent at 3:30 pm Wednesday. Neshaminy (1-6, 0-3) will host Central Bucks West at 3:30 pm Wednesday.
Neshaminy 0 0 1 2 – 3
Lower Moreland 5 4 4 1 – 14
NEW HOPE-SOLEBURY 11, ARCHBISHOP WOOD 8
New Hope-Solebury picked up its second win of the season, jumping out to a 7-3 halftime lead and playing a near-even second half to take an 11-8 win over Archbishop Wood in nonleague action.
Carolyn Brennan led the Lions’ attach with 3 goals and 4 assists. Ceci Capriotti and Hailey Castellano each added 3 goals. Goalkeeper Valerie Segler made 12 saves in a strong effort to help hold off the Vikings.
By the numbers: New Hope-Solebury: Ceci Capriotti (3 goals, 1 CTO, 2 DC), Rylee Logston (2 goals, 1 assist), Hailey Castellano (3 goals, 1 CTO), Carolyn Brennan (3 goals, 4 assists), Valerie Segler (12 saves).
Up next: The Lions (2-7, 0-3 SOL) will visit Springfield Twp at 3:30 pm Wednesday.
New Hope-Solebury 4 3 2 2 – 11
Archbishop Wood 2 1 3 2 – 8
MOUNT ST JOSEPH ACADEMY 10, NORTH PENN 5
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