Wissahickon employs perfect plan to beat Upper Dublin

LOWER GWYNEDD >> Wissahickon High’s girls lacrosse team went into Thursday afternoon’s game against rival Upper Dublin with two major goals — to try and double team the ball whenever possible and to succeed in their transition attack.

The Trojans did both to perfection and strolled off the field with a 9-6 victory, keyed by three goals and an assist from Emily Vervlied and two goals and three assists from Shannon Stagliano.

“Those were our plans,” said Trojans head coach Patty Kovacs, “and both really paid off.

“We were able to cause some turnovers and get some quick goals. And then when we got the lead, we were patient on attack and moved the ball really well.”

“We definitely have been working on our double teaming a lot,” Vervlied verified, “and then looking for good shots.”

The Cardinals got the best of the early going, taking a 2-0 lead behind goals by Paige Lawton and Jess Grodsky.

But the Trojans quickly reversed their early misfortunes.

Goals by Stagliano and Vervlied tied the score. Then after Grodsky gave the Cardinals the lead back, two goals by Mary Matthews and single goals by Vervlied and Carolyn Wilde handed the visitors a 6-3 lead by halftime.

“It was about basic catching and throwing, and that was the stuff we didn’t do,” said Cardinals head coach Lauren Mateja. “Our goaltender (Sarah Herchenroder) had a great game. She kept us in it.”

The Cardinals actually got within two goals at 7-5 midway through the second half.

But the Trojans shut the door, and goals by Vervlied (at 8:52) and Stagliano (at 5:00) put the Trojans in the driver’s seat.

“We came into the season knowing it was going to be a tough year,” Kovacs said. “Each game is a new one in our books.

“The key for us is a strong midfield and a lot of key players back from last year. Plus, we’ve had a few new players who have played very well for us.”

And the next goal, according to Vervlied, is to stay close enough in the league race for the league finale against front-runner Abington to have some meaning.

“It’s going to be a tough game,” Vervlied said. “We’ve already played PW (a close loss) and Upper Dublin, and that’s the one we’re looking forward to.”

The Cardinals, on the other hand, have focused on team play down the stretch.

“The American Conference is pretty balanced,” Mateja said. “We’re trying to emphasize playing together, and I think we’ve been successful so far.

“So many of our goals are assisted, it’s not just one player running up and down the field.”

LAX-ENDS: Paige Lawton and Jess Grodsky each scored twice for the Cardinals, while Hannah Reape and Caroline Wall notched a goal apiece. … Along with the aforementioned offensive contributions from Vervlied and Stagliano, the Trojans got two goals from Mary Matthews, single goals from Carolyn Wilde and Sam Intreieri and an assist from Christina Tsiobikas.