McGee scores 8 goals, Abington cruises past Wissahickon

LOWER GWYNEDD >> It’s a big week for Abington High’s girls lacrosse team.

Part one of the big week came Tuesday at Wissahickon where the Ghosts were looking to improve their district-playoff seeding.

That came about easily as Sam McGee scored eight times to help the Ghosts rout Wissahickon, 16-3.

With the victory in the rearview mirror, part two of the Ghosts big week comes Friday when the Ghosts travel to meet returning state champion Garnet Valley.

It helps that first-year head coach Amanda Kammes is a former assistant at Garnet, and after the rout of the Trojans, the Ghosts were both pleased with the win over Wissahickon and eagerly anticipating their meeting with the champs.

“We’re hitting our stride right now, and this is the time of year to do it,” Kammes said. “I’m really proud of the way the team has come along this year.

“They’ve really become a team. The girls know each other so well and they’re putting each other in good situations on the field.”

McGee kept putting the Ghosts in terrific situations in Tuesday’s game, winning draw after draw, most of which the visitors converted into goals.

McGee also did most of the converting, scoring five of Abington’s first six goals, as the Ghosts made it ugly early.

How ugly?

At one point in the first half, the Ghosts led, 10-0, and were outshooting Wissahickon, 15-1.

Wissahickon’s Shannon Stagliano finally ended the frustrations with 5:44 left in the half, but by then the Ghosts were in control.

“Offensively, we’ve been hitting our stride, both in practice and in the field,” McGee said. “So we came into this game pretty confident.

“I wouldn’t say we were relaxed, because we don’t like to go into any game relaxed. We like to go into every game focused.”

On the other sideline, Trojans head coach Patty Kovacs was lamenting her team’s slow start.

“We did very well against (Abington) the last time we played them (last season), but they were ready for us today,” the coach said. “Winning draws was important for them today. Our defense worked hard, but their offense played very well today.”

The Trojans got untracked briefly, scoring two of the second half’s first three goals.

But they would not score again.

Abington closed the contest on a 4-0 run, and it was on to the den of the reigning state champs.

“I’ve played with some of (the Garnet Valley players) on tournament teams, so it’ll be fun seeing how they’re doing.

“They’ve lost a couple of games recently, so they probably won’t be in a very good mood.”

“They lost to Great Valley and Conestoga,” Kammes said, “so I fully expect them to be ready.

“This game has been on both teams’ radar for months, and we’re really looking forward to it.”

LAX-ENDS: Along with McGee’s eight goals and one assist, the Ghosts got three goals from Rachel Morris, a goal and three assists from Casey McAllister and a goal and an assist from Jules Grera. Goalkeeper Kiara Brasher had two saves. … Wissahickon got two goals from Stagliano and a goal and an assist from Carolyn Wilde. … Stagliano was also taken off the field late in the game after suffering an injury. Her immediate status was not known.