Abington’s McGee achieves All-American goal

After a strong freshman season in 2014, Abington’s Sam McGee had her eyes on achieving one thing – to be an All-American.

“I wanted to be recognized and counted in that top 20,” she said.  “I wanted all the work I’ve done to be shown.”

As a junior, everyone got to see what McGee is capable of this year. McGee, the 2016 Montgomery Media Girls Lacrosse Athlete of the Year, was an offensive force for a Ghost squad that reached The District 1 second round. And that scoring acumen finally brought her to goal, as she earned US Lacrosse’s All-American Philly region honors.

“Everything I’ve done up to this point has been to get that All-American title… crazy to think that I achieved the goal that I set for myself,” McGee said.

No one in the Suburban One League — in either the National or American Conference — was better at putting the ball in the net this season than McGee as the junior finished with 85 goals. Her 22 assists gave her a league-best 107 points. She also claimed 84 draw controls as Abington finished 16-4 and took second in the SOL American with an 8-1 mark under first-year head coach Amanda Kammes.

“I was named a captain this year I just felt like I had to be a presence on the field at all times. I had to step up,” said McGee, who made the all-SOL American first team for the second straight year. “I felt like I didn’t have a bad game all season.”

Along with her stellar year for Abington, McGee also played on the Philly 1 team in the US Lacrosse Women’s National Tournament May 27-28 at Lehigh University and was a finalist for Heather Leigh Albert Award given to the event’s outstanding player.

McGee also showcased her skills on the Philadelphia Girls Command squad at the Under Armour Underclass Tournament July 1-3 in Towson, Maryland.

McGee gives credit to her success to the numerous working on the different aspects of her game with her father, Jason – who played at West Chester University and was an assistant coach for the Saint Joseph’s University men’s team.

“He’s the whole reason I’m the player I am,” she said.

McGee also got a literal boost as she has grown around four inches – going from 5-foot-4 at the beginning of her freshman year to almost 5 foot-8. Her goals totals have grown during her high school career as well – going from 51 to 52 to 85, putting her just a dozen away from 200 tallies going into her senior year. —

McGee, who plays on the club level with Phantastix Lacrosse, verbally committed to Saint Joseph’s before her sophomore season.

“(Saint Joseph’s coaches) Alex Kehoe, Colleen Dawson, Becky Lynch are three of the best people I’ve ever met,” she said. They were so nice and so supportive or me.”

Abington’s 16 victories were the most by the program since it claimed 18 wins in 2009. And the Ghosts were close to picking up a few more, as all four of their losses came by two goals or less – three by just a goal.

“I think we lost four games by a total of five goals this season that just kind of showed us we were in every game,” McGee said.

McGee was huge for Abington in its late-season surge into the District 1 playoffs, which the Ghosts capped off by beating defending PIAA champion Garnet Valley in the regular-season finale.

Abington won six of its final seven games before the postseason, starting with a 21-2 win over Cheltenham in which McGee scored five times. Two days later came a 7-6 loss to eventual SOL American champ Plymouth Whitemarsh — McGee had four goals in the contest — but the Ghosts rebounded with victories in their next five.

McGee collected six goals and six draw controls in the 11-7 SOL non-conference win over Council Rock North April 30. She again tallied six goals and six draw controls – along with an assist – as the Ghosts topped Upper Merion May 5. And in the 16-3 victory over Wissahickon May 10, McGee recorded eight goals, five draw controls and an assist.

Abington proceeded to go into the playoffs with a boost of momentum by defeating Garnet Valley 9-7. Having a bunch of friends from her club team on the Jaguars, the game was big on a personal level for McGee and she came through for the Ghosts with four goals and four draw controls.

McGee scored three times and won six draws as Abington won its first District 1 tournament game since 2009 with a 11-10 overtime victory over Strath Haven in the first round.

The Ghosts’ run ended in the second round with a 6-5 OT loss to Owen J. Roberts, but with a strong core returning in 2017, McGee has big expectations for both the team and herself.

“Obviously, get All-American again but also just improve myself… my left hand could be better. I could work more on my left hand,” McGee said. “Also, just take this season to team’s full potential. We could of gone way further than second round.

“Individually, work on myself and as a team, take it a step further. Compete for that state title.”