Check out the recaps for SOL girls lacrosse teams in Thursday’s District One Tournament. All SOS photo galleries for GIRLS’ LACROSSE can be viewed by clicking HERE.
Class 3A
#14 SPRINGFIELD DELCO 4, #3 NORTH PENN 2
Allowing just four goals in the sport of lacrosse usually equates with a win, but that wasn’t the case in Thursday’s District One 3A second round contest. The Knights’ defense was on top of its game, but the Cougars’ defense turned out to be even more stingy, allowing the usually dangerous North Penn attack to score just two goals.
“This was like a field hockey score, not lacrosse – I haven’t seen anything like it,” NP coach Heather Mellow said. “Their defense did a great job of doubling or sliding to help. They were very, very fast, and it really just threw us off. We haven’t seen a team that plays defense like that. They were just a fast, quick defense that was good, and we couldn’t get through.”
The Knights found themselves on the short end of a 3-1 scored at halftime. Lauren Blanch accounted for their only goal of the half after the Cougars had taken a 2-0 lead.
Both teams managed just one goal in the second half with Kerry O’Donnell finding the net for the Knights.
“I think we were just waiting for that one person to kickstart us and make that goal that would bring us up, and we just struggled,” Mellow said. “We took some poor shots, but their goalkeeper also made some good saves.
“We had possession of the ball for quite a bit of the game. We were working it around, trying to figure things out, and we just couldn’t find the right play to get us to the cage. Even our 8-meter shots, they stopped. We were in there – we just didn’t finish, we just didn’t get it done. My team did play awesome, I have to give them credit.”
In addition to Holt, who had six huge saves in goal, the Knights’ defense included Grace Macnamara, Hannah Mallitz, Haley Decker, Ella Burget and Lauren Blanch as well as midfielders Emily Varilla, Danielle Preston and Kerry O’Donnell.
“It was a really, really good defensive game on both ends,” Mellow said. “Springfield Delco is a team that typically puts up a lot of numbers. They have really good scoring power. (Goalie) Kiera (Holt) made some awesome saves. Our defense did exactly what we had talked about at practice.
“We also won most of the draw controls. It was just crazy because I have five or six players who have scored 20-30 goals or more. That was the most heartbreaking part of it. All these girls came off the field just devastated because they couldn’t put the ball in the net or find a way to get it there. Kudos to Springfield because that was a well-played defensive game.”
Varilla was credited with four draw controls, and Kerry O’Donnell had two draw controls.
Mellow paid tribute to an outstanding group of seniors that included Haley Decker, Elle Burget, Emily Varilla, Bella Sparango, Jordan Baily, Danielle Preston, Olivia Caputo and Hannah Mallitz.
“My seniors really set the bar high,” Mellow said. “I think I’m still in a bit of shock, and it hasn’t quite sunk in yet that they’re going to be gone.
“They have been amazing all season, they have done exactly what I’ve asked of them all season from not going to senior week, to watching every game film, to scouting games with me and sticking by me with every decision. They really have done an amazing job this season. The loss is going to be enormous for us.
“They set a goal for themselves – the last game of last season we didn’t play our best, and the girls were like, ‘We’re not going to let that happen this year, we’re going to give you our all the entire season,’ and that’s what they did. They completed the entire checklist of goals they had set. I couldn’t be more proud of them. I still can’t believe they’re going to be gone.”
North Penn closed out its successful season with a perfect 10-0 record and the SOL National Conference title. The Knights were 15-4 overall.
Springfield Delco 3-1 4
North Penn 1-1 2
#8 DOWNINGTOWN EAST 13, #9 PENNSBURY 12
The Falcons lost a heartbreaker in Thursday’s second round contest, but they had no reason to hang their heads, putting on a showing that left their coach feeling nothing but pride.
“The girls played their hearts out today, there’s no doubt about that,” Pennsbury coach Shann MacPherson said. “I’m so proud of how far they have come this season and as a program as a whole.
“This was a game that we wanted redemption from last year in the second round against Downingtown East (a 15-11 loss). We put up a good fight today, unfortunately, we didn’t come up with the win, but I’m very happy with every single one of the girls. You never want a season to end, this is a great group of girls, and we will miss our seniors next year.”
Darrien Furiness scored five goals, assisted on three others and reached the 200-point milestone despite not having a sophomore year. She also had seven draw controls and six ground balls. Maggie Golder added four goals and an assist and also had seven draw controls to go along with one ground ball and one caused turnover. Adding one goal each were Olivia Graebner, Grace Holmes and Mia Popovitch. Graebner also had two draw controls and two ground balls, and Holmes had two ground balls.
“Darrien had a great game, winning the draw,” MacPherson said. “She scored her 200th career point today which is a great accomplishment and is possible because she’s such a smart and dynamic player.
“Maggie was key on taking the draw today, she set us up to be successful to win the draw. She also had some game changing goals for us. Sophia (Curtis) was a leader on defense and stepped up to play midfield in the second half. She is such a coachable player and does everything she can for her team. While we will miss them, I look forward to seeing our younger players contribute.”
Pennsbury (8-2 SOL) closed out its season with a 14-5 record.
Pennsbury 7-5 12
Downingtown East 8-5 13
#6 METHACTON 13, #11 PENNRIDGE 6
The Rams came up short in Thursday’s second round game at Methacton, but the fact that they were one of 16 teams still playing speaks to the growth of the program.
“Today’s loss is tough to take, but after only winning four games last season, making it to the second round of the playoffs in 2022 was a big step for the Pennridge girls lacrosse program,” coach William Rodzewich said. “The game came down to execution, and Methacton’s patience and efficiency on attack was too much for us.
“Even though we had the edge in draw controls, we didn’t take advantage of the opportunities they afforded us. We scored the first goal of the game but then gave up four unanswered to Methacton. We fell behind and were never able to catch back up.
The Rams, who trailed 8-4 at halftime, were led by Kendall Posey’s hat trick. Grace Rosica added one goal, one assist and eight draw controls, and Ava Fantaskey had one goal and three draw controls. Kate Unzicker added one goal and one draw control, and contributing one assist each were Amelia Loughery and Sophie Craig. Maddy Edinger had two draw controls.
Pennridge goalie Anjali Verma was credited with eight saves.
“Our girls played with a lot of heart, but credit to Methacton for a solid defensive effort and very good goaltending,” Rodzewich said. “Pennridge says goodbye to nine seniors: Amelia Loughery, Aubrie Rawlings, Lauren Rush, Maddy Edinger, Maddy Pottichen, Natalie Yilanjian, Nikki Machado, Brynn Wenger, and Mary Muiruri, but the cupboard is not bare on the Ridge. We have a strong core of underclassmen to build upon for next year.”
Pennridge (8-2 SOL) finished its season with a 14-5 record.
Pennridge 4-2 6
Methacton 8-5 13
Class 2A
#4 MOUNT ST. JOSEPH 13, #4 UPPER MORELAND 9
The Golden Bears took an 8-7 lead into halftime but then managed just one goal in the second half, falling to the visiting Magic in a hard-fought game.
“Our team really battled today,” UM coach Kim Frantz said. “We have always been a team that has been a unit, and today with seven different scorers that really shows. In a season where we were plagued by crazy injuries, we always kept fighting and working hard. I could not be more proud of the perseverance of this team.”
Frantz described the ebb and flow of Thursday’s game.
“The first half was truly a back and forth battle,” the UM coach said. “Our defense was so together, and Bree Knox came up with some very key ground balls and was just solid on defense. Heidi Wittick was great on the draws and was able to come up with the ball when it was most needed. Willow Taylor was hustling from end to end and was a key part of a lot of our goals. Kayla Sword was great with 1v1 defense and was extremely important to our defense. Sophia Hopf dug deep and worked hard at the defensive end.
“In the second half, the Mount scored three quick goals, and we just couldn’t battle back from that. We fought until the last second, but we were down four goals, and once the stall ball started around 6:30, we just weren’t able to get the ball back. Mount played a great second half and we just couldn’t capitalize on a few key moments.”
Freshman Annalise Messina had another big game, leading the Golden Bears with three goals and two assists to go along with four ground balls.
“Annalise Messina with today’s stats ended the season with 102 points in just one year,” Frantz said. “Today she was the key to causing a lot of turnovers that were quick transitions for goals, and she created great momentum in the midfield.”
Willow Taylor added a goal and two assists while Isabel Leiter, Olivia Meakim, Regan Cummins, Heidi Wittick and Jenna Piantieri each had one goal. Maggie Morrow had one assist.
Bree Knox had a team-high five grounds balls while Piantieri had three and Wittick and Cummins both had two. Leiter and Charlotte James both had once ground ball.
Senior goalie Emma Hurley closed out a stellar season with nine saves.
“Emma Hurley had some great saves today, including some 8m free shots,” Frantz said.
Upper Moreland (9-2 SOL) closed out its season with a 14-5 record.
Mount St. Joseph 7-6 13
Upper Moreland 8-1 9
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