Main Line high school lacrosse teams looking strong again this spring

The Main Line high school lacrosse scene features a wide pool of talent this spring. The Main Line girls squads in particular feature a variety of teams that captured championships last spring. The Conestoga girls are coming off their first-ever PIAA state championship, while the Radnor girls were the District One champion and PIAA state runner-up last spring. Among InterAc girls teams, Episcopal Academy was the PAISAA tournament champion, while Agnes Irwin is aiming for its fourth consecutive InterAc title this spring. Merion Mercy Academy won the AACA title last year, while the Archbishop Carroll girls were undefeated in the Catholic League.
Here is an early-season look at the Main Line high school lacrosse teams, compiled from team information sent to us by the coaches:

Academy of Notre Dame

Agnes Irwin
Head coach: Jen Duckenfield,
Last year’s record: 19-6, won third consecutive Inter-Ac championship.
Key returnees: senior​ attacker Lila Barker (committed to University of Virginia), returning US Lacrosse All American, 193 career goals and 63 assists; senior goalie Hailey Andress (Cornell), 287 career saves​, missed half 2016 season due to injury​; junior midfielder Maria Pansini (Princeton), 112 career ground balls and lead face guard​ (fourth-year starter).
Others to watch: senior Alicia O’Neil (Cornell), senior attack Dani Wright (ASU), senior attack Olivia Carey (Davidson), senior Emmie Kiely (Brown), senior Camryn Walsh (Woffard), junior Camilla Gowen, junior Ellie Kirkpatrick (Vanderbilt), junior Meredith Murphy (Bucknell), junior Alex Hark (Boston University), junior Annie Hepburn (West Point), junior Sydney Wolfington (Penn State), junior Kate Chernitsky, junior Heni Danson, sophomore Emily Wills (Loyola), sophomore Grace Bartosh (Harvard), sophomore CC Senyk (Colgate), sophomore Emily Coyne (University of Pennsylvania), sophomore Lauren Avery (Syracuse), sophomore Lauren Radar (Michigan), freshman Natalie Pansini (Princeton), freshman Kacey Hogarth, freshman Caitlyn Regan, freshman Julia Carey.
Lost to graduation: Kristin Burnetta (Harvard), all-time program leader in assists (142), 2016 Under Armour All American; Emily Fryer (Brown), all time program leader in draw control (265) and ground balls (198), USL All American; Hannah Keating (Harvard), all time program leading scorer (300), 2015 USL Player of the year, 2016 Under Armour All American; Laura Pansini (Princeton), all time program leading points (208 goals. 134 assists) USL 2015-16 All American; Sarah Platt (University of Virginia), U19 National Team 2016 Under Armour All American; Kate White (Dartmouth), all time program leader caused turn overs (162), 2015-6 USL All American.
Outlook: After a 2016 which was upended by injury (19-6, #1 PA East #29 National LaxPower), the Owls are optimistic about the 2017 season. Despite the loss to graduation of the six four year starters that led the rise of the program to regional and national prominence, Agnes Irwin is ready to defend its three straight Inter-Ac championships and challenge for its second PAISAA title in three years. Irwin’s out of conference schedule again features some of the perennial top teams in the country, including Good Counsel, Bishop Ireton, Saint Stephen and Saint Agnes, Moorestown, and Vero Beach. In addition, the Owls will also face 2016 New Jersey state runner up Ridgewood and Notre Dame Academy (Mass.) The Owls have 21 players who have made Division I college commitments. Duckenfield said, “Our goal is to compete for a fourth consecutive Inter-Ac championship and continue to play an extremely difficult out of season schedule.”

Archbishop Carroll (girls)
Head coach: Lorraine Beers, 18th year.
Last year’s record: 18-4 overall, 12-0 Catholic League (champions).
Key returnees: senior midfielder Samantha Swart, senior midfielder Anna Murphy, senior goalie Maddy Ferrioli, senior defender Fiona Casey, senior defender Jessica Hewitt, senior attack Rose Kokol.
Others to watch: junior midfielders Katie Detwiler and Rachel Matey.
Lost to graduation: attack Meghan Matey (Ohio State), attack Lexi Kucia (LaSalle), attack Abby Fox (Long Island University).
Outlook: Beers said, “Our biggest strength is our senior leadership, and our biggest challenge is many young players that need experience.”

Archbishop Carroll (boys)
Head coach: Luke Wiles, second year.
Last year’s record: 12-4 overall, 6-2 Catholic League.
Key returnees: junior midfielder Adam Ritter, senior defenseman Steve Honack, senior goalie Chris Stenger.
Others to watch: junior attackman Max Kreiger, senior defenseman Sean Doyle, senior defenseman John Giovanazzi, sophomore midfielder Sean Kearney.

Lost to graduation: attack Brendan George.
Outlook: Wiles said, “Our biggest strength is in the net and in the midfield. Our biggest challenge will be to control the pace of the game through our young offense to take the pressure off our defense.”

Baldwin School
Head coach: Marisa Lozano, fourth year.
Last year’s record: 3-17, advanced to second round of PAISAA tournament.
Key returnees: junior midfielder Marissa McGarrey (Franklin & Marshall), junior midfielder Eliza Thaler, senior attack Ryanna Neuman, senior defender Caroline Schaeffer.

Others to watch: sophomore midfielder Lila Tuckman, sophomore midfielder Sean Tuckman, sophomore midfielder Natalie Sgro, sophomore midfielder Celia Page, sophomore defender Lauren Bracken, senior defender Joely Simon, junior attack Sophia Nicoletti.
Lost to graduation: four starters – defender Hayden Ivey, attack Izzy Schaeffer, defender Julia Greitzer, goalie Shayna Silverman.
Outlook: Lozano said, “Every season is a big test for our program, so this year is no different. We have an enormous amount of athleticism, coupled with a young group of returning starters. We have leaders across all of the grades. We are coming off of a tough season, so this team knows they have something to prove. The coaching staff is very eager to see what this group can accomplish.”

Conestoga (boys)
Head coach: Brody Bush, third year.
Last year’s record: 14-7 overall, 10-2 Central League.
Key returnees: senior attack Henry Berg, senior middie Hunter Gregory, senior defenseman Matthew Moran, senior middie Peyton Jones, senior attack Tommy Sopko, junior middie Nick Braendel, junior defenseman Jackson Niness, junior defenseman Joseph Walton, junior defenseman Matt Logan, junior face-off middie James Reilly, junior goalie Scott MacMillan, junior middie Sean Bailey, junior middie Tate Kienzle.
Others to watch: junior middie Chris Cara, junior middie Cliff Madden, junior attack Drew Mullen, junior attack Kent Hjelm, junior defender Henry Friedman, junior defender Matthew Dempsey, junior middie Nicholas Cost, freshman defenseman Scott Smith.
Lost to graduation: defenders Jack Reilly (University of Virginia), Sam Bouhdary (University of Michigan), Brant Pittman (Denison University), Tyler Soutendijk (Swarthmore).
Outlook: Bush said, “Our biggest strength would be the depth of our team and our strength in the specialized areas. Our biggest challenge would be replacing the great seniors on defense we had from last year.”

Conestoga (girls)
Head coach: Amy Orcutt, eighth year.
Last year’s record: 24-1, undefeated in Central League, PIAA state champions.
Key returnees: senior midfielder Liz Scott, senior attack Scottie Growney, senior defender Elisabeth Ingersoll, senior defender Maddie Little, junior defender Emma McGillis, junior midfielder Ceara Sweeney, junior attack Amelia Kienzle.
Others to watch: sophomore attack Nia Scott, sophomore defender/midfielder Sarah Clark, senior attack Dana Cicchitti, sophomore defender Sydney Sloan.
Lost to graduation: Rilee Scott (West Point), Monica Borzillo (Cincinnati), Sondra Dickey (Lehigh), Maggie Gladden (Tampa), Maggie Hanzsche (Franklin and Marshall), Eliza Hacke (Denver), Hannah Ashton (Rollins), Jules Horning (Marquette).
Outlook: Orcutt said, “We have a young but very talented team, since losing nine starters to graduation. We will look to compete [again] for a Central League and state championship.”

Episcopal Academy (boys)
Head coach: Chris Bates, first year.
Last year’s record: 7-13 overall, 4-6 InterAc.
Key returnees: senior midfielder Jake Martellucci, senior defender Conner Delaney, senior attack Connor Ringwalt, senior goalie Jake Floyd-Jones, senior midfielder Cole Johnson, senior midfielder Dan Baker, senior defender Jason Miller, senior attack Nate Emrick.
Others to watch: junior midfielder Chris McCoun, sophomore midfielder Gabe Frey, sophomore defender Collin Loughead.
Lost to graduation: defender Matt Blommer (Notre Dame), face off Christian Feliziani (Ohio State), long stick middie Drew Silvera (Delaware).
Outlook: Bates noted, “In our senior class there’s experience, some depth, and leadership, with some younger guys pushing for playing time. Our biggest challenges are overall team depth, and the team adapting to a new coaching staff and systems in a short period of time.”

Episcopal Academy (girls)
Head coach: Josie Ferri Tomaino, fourth year.
Last year’s record: 23-5 (overall), 10-2 Inter-Ac, Pennsylvania Independent School Athletic Association champions.
Key returnees: senior attackers Taylor Lucey (VCU), Sarah Keffer and Rachel Yackel (William Smith); junior attackers Katie Crager (Georgetown), Olivia Cunningham (Lafayette) and Ally Marino (F&M); junior midfielder Olivia Tuma (Cornell); junior defenders Phoebe Christos (Villanova), Bridget Boyle (Drexel) and Lauren Rodio; sophomore midfielder Olivia Dirks (Penn State) and sophomore defenders Izzy Rohr (Penn) and Lindsay Walling (W&M)
Others to watch: freshmen midfielders Devon Whitaker (UVA), Jayne Morley, Ali McHugh and Caroline Burt; freshman goalie Helena Morrison.
Lost to graduation: Julia Hondros (Brown), Sydney Gagnon (Virginia Tech), Claudia Becker (Davidson), Meghan Manley (Wesleyan), Grace Norley (F&M), Lauren Brenner (Washington College), Colby Gallagher, Darby O’Grady, Bradlie Morgan.
Outlook: Tomaino said, “At Episcopal, our girls are proud to carry on a very rich tradition of lacrosse success. While this team may be filled with young talent, there is an appreciation for the legacy they are stepping into. I’m excited to make the journey with this year’s seniors, Taylor Lucey, Sarah Keffer and Rachel Yackel. Our 2017 season motto is “Our Way” – we can’t wait to demonstrate what that slogan means to our program both on and off the field this season.”

Harriton (boys)
Head coach: Joe Proud, fifth year.
Last year’s record: 9-10 overall, 4-7 Central League
Key returnees: senior midfielder Will Stahl, senior attack and co-captain Hakan Atillasoy, senior defender and co-captain Cyros Strickland, junior attack Charlie Veasey, sophomore attack Michael Stewart, sophomore midfielder Ben Schall, sophomore midfielder Brian Stewart.
Others to watch: senior midfielder Mykah Tomassetti, junior midfielder Ethan Rodgers.
Lost to graduation: attack Patrick Stewart (Fairleigh Dickinson), defender Matt Binnion (Richmond), goalie Ian Walsh (Washington College), midfielder Justin Kruszewski (Utica College), long stick middie Brysen McMullin, defender TJ Arms.
Outlook: The Rams have a lot of new faces in the program this year, particularly on the defensive end. The entire starting attack returns, led by Atillasoy, who has started at attack since his freshman year and been twice named to the All-Central League team. Veasey returns as a third-year starter at attack/midfield, and along with Michael Stewart should be taking on an increased role.
The 6-foot-5 Stahl is considered the Rams’ most dominant player, and can be a force on the offensive and defensive ends of the field. He is joined by Rodgers, Schall, Brian Stewart and Tomassetti.
Proud noted, “We have a group of athletic players are just behind them competing to get into the regular middie rotation.”
On defense, Strickland returns as a defensive starter and the Rams’ best long stick, and Proud said, “We will rely on his play and leadership to guide a relatively inexperienced defense.”
Senior Drew Dannenbaum, juniors Jackson Sanders and Zach Rome, and freshman Aedan McKenna have stepped up in the starting rotation. Senior Jack Turner and sophomore Robbie DePetris are competing for the starting goalie position, bringing competition to that position for the first time in years.
Proud said, “We must stay healthy and continue to improve if we want to make a mark in the always-competitive Central League.”

Harriton (girls)
Head coach: George Dick, 10th year.
Last year’s record: 15-5 overall, 8-3 Central League.
Key returnees: senior defender Emma Arronson, senior defender Jordan Heller, senior midfielder Claudia Conrad, junior goalie Devin McClain, junior attack Greta Stahl, junior midfielder Molly McDonough.
Others to watch: sophomore attack Allison Schwab, sophomore attack Katelin Williams, sophomore midfielder Emily Stewart.
Lost to graduation: midfielder Alex Ladda (Lehigh), attack Laura Lasprogata (St. Joseph’s), midfielder Liv Tevis (St. Joe’s), defender Haley Morris.
Outlook: Dick is confident about the Rams’ continued success: “The girls are working hard every day to achieve success. Good things happen to teams that work hard.”

Haverford High (girls)
Head coach: Nancy McGoldrick, 32nd year.
Last year’s record: 10-10.
Key returnees: senior attack and captain Laura Winters, senior midfielder and captain Lydia Hetznecker, senior defender and captain Clare Janzer, senior defender and captain Amelia Durfee, senior goalie Sami Harnwell, junior midfielder Nora Janzer, sophomore midfielder Carly Gannon, sophomore attack Sydney Corcoran, sophomore defender Julia Klein.
Others to watch: junior attack Reilly Morgan, junior midfielder Morgan Pasquerella, freshman attack Willa Hetznecker.
Lost to graduation: attack Jess Mellon (playing lacrosse for LaSalle), attack Hanna Breslin (playing lacrosse for Old Dominion), midfielder Tess Horan (playing field hockey for Drexel), goalie Rhiannon Connell (West Virginia), defender Celine Bibonne (Temple).
Outlook: With a solid crop of returning players, the Fords should have a solid team once again.

Haverford High (boys)
Head coach: Greg Decina, first year.
Last year’s record: 15-5.
Key returnees: senior, midfielder/FOGO Luke McCallion (committed to Vermont), senior midfielder Nick DiIorio (Widener), senior long stick middie Jack Farrell (committed to West Chester for football), senior goalie Dan Tierney (Stevens Institute of Technology), senior defender Mike Dice, senior defender Mike Romanofsky.
Others to watch: junior defender Tom Fredericks.
Lost to graduation: Bobby McClure, Billy Farrell, Mike Hand.
Outlook: Decina said, “We are returning a strong defensive and face off unit but we are looking to improve our offense after losing key offensive threats in Bobby McClure and Billy Farrell.”

Malvern Prep
Head coach: John McEvoy, 11th year.
Last year’s record: 18-5 overall, 8-2 InterAc.
Key returnees: senior midfielder Mike Fay, senior midfielder Mack Updike, senior midfielder/faceoff Sean Christman, senior attack Bill Coyle, senior defender Ray Baran, senior defender Sam Charlton, senior goalie Andrew Clark.

Others to watch: junior attack Jack Tryanor, junior attack Scott White, junior midfielder Quinn McCahon, junior attack Matt Boles, junior midfielder Seamus Glynn, junior midfielder Jim Gabrielsen, junior midfielder Jordan Donaghy.

Lost to graduation: attack Kyle Anderson (Harvard), attack Adam Goldner (Penn), defender Ryan Murray (Penn), midfielder Jarrett Donaghy (F&M), defender Cole Thomas (F&M).
Outlook: The Friars are going to be very good in 2017, but they want to be better than that. And with premier midfielders like Mike Fay (Notre Dame recruit) and Mack Updike (Navy) leading the way, Malvern Prep has a chance to get it done. Sean Christman (Boston University) is an excellent on face-offs and Billy Coyle (Cornell) will likely be the team’s leading scorer for the third straight season. The defense will be anchored by Ray Baran (Richmond), Sam Charlton (Lehigh) and goalie Andrew Clark.

McEvoy said, “We have the ability to be strong on the offensive end, and a good face off guy. We have a lot of really good kids that are fun and rewarding to be around – they are earnest, respectful and hardworking – so we can’t go too far wrong.

“Our No. 1 priority is that we need to have possessions. So we’ll work hard at the face off X – we have a very good faceoff guy, but it takes a unit to be great, we’ll try to play strong conservative defense – we’ve made good strides at that, we’ll need to make the stops that we’re supposed to , outwork and out-scrap people for loose balls, take good care of the ball when we have it. That’s the ideal , but that’s a team that’s hard to beat.”

Merion Mercy Academy
Head coach: John Geary, sixth year.
Last year’s record: 14-7, AACA champions, lost in playback round of the playoffs.
Key returnees: senior attack Brenna Stone, senior goalie MaryCate Markey, senior middie Caroline Steller, senior defender Maggie Wilson, senior attack Kaely Kyle, senior attack Allie Scannapieco, senior attack Brittney Bedrossian, junior attack Arianna Lavelle, junior middie Annie Dombrowski.
Others to watch: junior defender Marcella Nostrant, junior defender Gabby Destefon, freshman middie Emily Hauck, freshman defender Alexandria Lavelle.
Lost to graduation: Caroline Heath (St. Joseph University), Jackie Benedict (Florida).
Outlook: Geary said, “This season we will have a good blend of seniors and juniors. We look to build on our team’s progress from last season and are anticipating some exciting play from our key returnees and underclass players. Our captains, Kaely Kyle, Caroline Steller and Allie Scannapieco, have had a strong preseason. We are excited to again be playing in the Checking for Cancer event and the Katie Samson Festival.”

Radnor (boys)

Head coach: John Begier, 11th year.

Last year’s record: 10-9.

Key returnees: senior attack Clayton Proctor, senior midfielder Chris Austen, senior midfielder Phil Regan, senior midfielder Kyler Albany, senior goalie Tucker Ballbach, senior attack Westy McLaughlin, senior defender GC Masciantonio, senior defender Liam McCall, sophomore attack Drew Brown.

Others to watch: senior defender Harrison Carter, senior midfielder Alex Bernicker, senior midfielder Emmett Burns, junior midfielder Connor Pierce, junior midfielder Mike McShea, junior defender Jack Treangen, junior defender Kyle Addis, junior midfielder Julian Castilleja, junior midfielder Ryan Peter, junior attack Eric Halpern, sophomore midfielder John Austen, freshman attack Jackson Birtwistle.

Lost to graduation:  Jack Wilson (University of Maryland), Rod Castro (Amherst College).

Outlook: Begier said, “We have strong leadership in our senior class, and a group of players overall that are working hard to get better every day. We like our team chemistry, and are excited for this season and our challenging schedule.”

Radnor (girls)
Head coach: Brooke Fritz, seventh year.
Last year’s record: 20-7 overall, 7-4 Central League, District 1 Champs, PIAA state runner-up.
Key returnees: senior midfielder Nicole Massimino, senior attack Hope Smith, senior midfielder Allison Lanzone, senior attack Julianne Puckette, senior defender Natalie Junior, senior goalie Alexa Solomon, senior defender Lindsey McShea, senior midfielder Grace Gallagher, senior defender Eliza Azzarano, senior midfielder Sophie Breedveld.
Others to watch: junior midfielder Catherine Belveal, junior midfielder Carleigh Goldstein, sophomore attack Cate Cox.
Lost to graduation: midfielder Fallon Quinn (Columbia), midfielder Abby Lord (Richmond), attack/midfielder Katie Quinn (George Washington), attack Emily Games (Tufts).
Outlook: Fritz said, “We are returning 12 players with varsity experience. We are fast and our skills have improved tremendously since last year. The challenges we will face are the strength of our schedule and our health. We have a few players coming back from injuries and we are tested weekly in the Central League. It’s a long season that we are excited to start!”

Sacred Heart

Head coach: Claire Fitzpatrick, first year (graduate of Sacred Heart, played lacrosse for Sacred Heart and West Chester University)

Last year’s record: 7-11 overall, 4-10 AACA.

Key returnees: senior attack Laney Santora, senior attack Lauren Palumbo, senior defender Tina Tarantino, senior defender Kellie McIntyre, senior defender Lizzie Reid, junior attack Hannah Seifried, sophomore midfielder Danielle Santora.

Lost to graduation: defender Brigid Gilwa.

Outlook: Sacred Heart has their big biggest scorers back in Hannah Seifreid and Danielle Santora. The Lions also feature a good deal of midfield speed. Their biggest challenge is a new defense along with a new sophomore goalie.

Shipley (boys)
Head coach: Mark Duncan, 16th year.
Last year’s record: 9-9 overall, second place in Friends’ Schools League.
Key returnees: senior Nick Yi (committed to Cleveland State, scored 24 goals last year), senior Chad Allison (committed to Widener, scored 24 goals last year), senior defender Trevor Green (Moravian), senior Frank Campanale (Messiah commit, scored 28 goals last year), senior Pete Moeller (scored 36 goals last year), senior goalie Colton Gallo, junior defender Will Drake, junior Griff Gallagher (scored 11 goals last year),
Others to watch: freshman Henry Reed, freshman Luke Grayum, freshman Randall Brown, freshman Tyler Drake, freshman Hunter Gallo.
Last to graduation: Tate Gallagher (University of Richmond, is Shipley’s all-time goal-scorer and points leader with 302 points), Amir Fluellen (Salisbury, scored 35 goals last year).
Outlook: A strong senior class leads the Gators this spring, as Shipley hopes to return to the Friends’ Schools League title game and give its seniors a championship. The Gators are led on offense by Pete Moeller, Frank Campanale, Nick Yi, Chad Allison and Griff Gallagher. Defensively, senior goalie Colton Gallo will have the support of senior Trevor Green and juniors Will Drake, Charlie Ryan and Connor Bryan. Newcomers Henry Reed, Luke Grayum, Tyler Drake, Hunter Gallo and Randall Brown round out a strong freshman class that gives the Gators added depth. Shipley headed to Clearwater, Fla. at the end of March to play four official games against local Florida schools.

Villa Maria Academy
Head coach: Allie Mongan, first year.
Last year’s record:11-6 overall, 9-4 AACA.
Key returnees: senior midfielder Audrey Fantazzia, senior attack Bri Bamber, junior midfielder Erin Finley, senior attack Annina Iacobucci.
Others to watch: sophomore attack Sarah Delaney, senior defender Sarah Moffit, junior midfielder Lizzy Walheim, sophomore midfielder Adele Iacobucci, freshman attack Hannah Young.
Lost to graduation: None.
Outlook: Mongan said, Our team’s biggest strength is the depth of the roster, we have lots of talented young players. Our team is fast and plays tough. Our biggest challenges will be learning to play together with the younger girls and also becoming more consistent.”

NOTE: Several coaches did not respond to our requests for team information. If and when that information is provided, we will update the story at PaPrepLive.com.