Mercury Girls Lacrosse Season Preview Capsules
Boyertown
Head coach: Pam Wernersbach, 15th season; Assistants: Erica Erb, Erica Johnson, Karen Kooker
2018 record: 7-3 PAC Liberty, 14-6 overall
2018 postseason: Lost to Owen J. Roberts 8-6 in PAC championship game after topping Pope John Paul II 14-13 in Final Four semifinals … After drawing first-round bye in District 1-3A tournament, suffered season-ending 10-4 loss to PAC rival OJR in second round
Players to watch: Seniors: Amanda Diachynsky, A; Sarah Didget, G; Ashley Dierolf, A; Lindsay Flack, M; Kasey Fox, G; Erin Gilbert, A; Kristi Kada, M; Kasey Roberts, D; Elizabeth Tamasitis, A. Juniors: Mattie Gallagher, D; Amber Marburger, D. Sophomores: Lilly Mauger, M.
Note: Diachynsky is an Arcadia commit who was first team All-PAC Liberty and Mercury All-Area in 2018 as a junior; Dierolf was a second team All-PAC Liberty and second team Mercury All-Areaselection in 2018. Both earned those distinctions at the position of attack.
Key losses to graduation: Kaleigh Gallagher, Sydney Fox (2018 All-Area Player of the Year), Cassandra Kidwell, Asia Swenk, Kylie Webb, Jen O’Connor, Hayden Corcoran, Hannah Mitchell.
Coach’s season outlook: “Our program will be looking to improve every day, at practice, at games, and in school,” Wernersbach said. “These girls will work hard to create their own legacy just like previous teams have done. They will need to communicate, care about each other, be disciplined, be committed and be mentally tough day in and day out to be successful.”
Daniel Boone
Head coach: Catherine Burger, first season
2018 Record: 0-10 Berks, 4-14 overall
Players to watch: Seniors: Olivia Cozzone, M; Courtney Gabbett, D.
Coach’s season outlook: “There are a lot of dedicated players with positive attitudes that will help this new program grow throughout the season,” Berger said. “There has been so much individual and team improvement in the beginning of the season and I see that continuing.”
“We are mainly focused on team improvement as it the program is still in its beginning stages, but I believe that this team is made up of a lot of dedicated athletic girls that could surprise some more established programs throughout the course of the season,” she added.
Hill School
Head Coach: Mo Gaitan, first season
2018 record: 8-8, third in MAPL
Players to Watch: Seniors: Tatumn Eccleston, A; Mariah Sweeny, G. Juniors: Hannah Spease, M; Jordan Hower, M; Lindsey Coffey M. Freshmen: Maddie Orsi, M.
Coach’s season outlook: “This season we are heavily focused on buying into the process,” Gaitan said. “That includes taking care with our new systems, attention to detail and integrating every player into our culture. There are a lot of moving pieces with instilling a culture based on process but we are well on our way only a few weeks in. I am very excited about the returning talent along with the incoming athletes we have to round out our young but eager team.”
Methacton
Head coach: Laurie Markle, 13th season
2018 Record: 6-4 PAC Liberty (9-4 PAC overall), 11-9 overall
2018 Postseason: Defeated Upper Dublin 12-6 in opening round of District 1-3A tournament before suffering season-ending 10-6 loss to CB West in second round of districts
Key returning players: Seniors: Kate Benton, D (Field Hockey to St. Joseph); Reilly Smith, D. Juniors: Sydney Tornetta, M (Coastal Carolina commit); Rachel O’Toole, G (Dusquene commit); Mia Sheldon, D.
Key loss to graduation: Julie Byrne (UC-Davis)
Coach’s season outlook: “We have some core returners but a lot of young and inexperienced players that need to learn to work together,” Markle said. “We have some speed and will be competitive with an experienced goalie in the cage and Sydney Tornetta leading the attack. I believe that we will be a work in progress and as we find our groove, I am hoping that we peak at the right time this year.”
Norristown
Head coach: Rachel Shuster
2018 Record: 0-10 PAC Liberty, 0-16 overall
Key returning players: Seniors: Emily Schools, M/A; Ashley Schools, M/A, Bryanna Adams, D/M.
Key loss to graduation: Brihanna McIntyre
Coach’s season outlook: “We are working on building a new team,” Shuster said. “Many girls have returned, but a very new bunch of girls are coming up. This year we are working on building the discipline within the program. Players are being held to higher standards and leadership qualities. In the past, our team slowly begins to drop off, and we are working on preventing that this year. The girls are full of energy and ready to play for the season.”
Owen J. Roberts
Head coach: David Schlesinger, first season
2018 Record: 9-1 PAC Liberty (divisional and overall league champions), 17-7 overall
2018 Postseason: Captured fourth straight PAC title with 8-6 win over Boyertown after topping Perkiomen Valley 9-7 in Final Four semifinals … PIAA 3A playoff qualifier, losing to Manheim Township 8-7 in opening round … Reached District 1-3A quarterfinals with wins over PAC rivals Spring-Ford (12-6) and Boyertown (10-4). After losing to Garnet Valley 10-7 in district quarterfinals, locked up state playoff bid with 9-8 victory over CB West. Lost to Downingtown West 9-7 in District 1 fifth-place game
Players to watch: Seniors: Eloise Gebert, M; Sophia Murray, M; Charlotte Lasak, A. Juniors: Maddi Koury, A; Hannah Delahaye, A; Rory Cahill, D; Veronica Roach, D; Cayden Jarvis, G. Sophomores: Maggie Kilgallon M.
Postseason honors for returning players: PAC Liberty 1st team: Gebert (M), Delahaye (A); PAC Liberty 2nd team: Koury (A), Jarvis (G), Murray (M)
Key losses to graduation: Kelsey Kilgallon, Kylie Cahill, Danika Swech.
Coach’s team outlook: “(Being) the third coach in four years for OJR presents challenges,” Schlesinger said. “However, the team loves to work hard and is eager to learn and improve. OJR has experienced, high level offensive talent and a young, but very athletic defense. The GK position is in sound hands with juniors Cayden Jarvis and Gianna Stalletti. OJR should contend for the PAC title and hopefully progress deep into the District 1 and PIAA playoffs.”
Perkiomen Valley
Head coach: Lisa Clark, third season
2018 Record: 9-4 PAC, 15-8 overall
2018 Postseason: PIAA 3A state qualifier (lost to Parkland 8-7 in opening round); Advanced to District 1-3A semifinals with wins over North Penn (12-10), Harriton (9-8) and CB West (6-5). Lost to Garnet Valley 10-8 in district semifinals, lost to Unionville 18-1 in district third-place game … Lost to eventual league champion Owen J. Roberts 9-7 in PAC semifinals
Players to watch: Seniors: Kat Kelley, M; Paige Tyson, M/A; Maggie Sell, D/M. Juniors: Kate Hickey, A; Riley McGettigan, M. Sophomores: Lauren Foley, G; Anna Dawson M.
Note: Tyson, Sell and Kelley were all first team All-PAC Frontier Division team selections in 2018
Key loss to graduation: Caitlin Leap (Bloomsburg)
Coach’s outlook for 2018 season: “Last year was a very successful and historic season for our program and we put ourselves on the map,” Clark said. “We are hoping to continue to build on that success as we only lost one starter and are adding more depth and skill to our roster. The PAC will be a competitive conference with many teams being highly talented and senior-heavy. Hopefully PV and the rest of the PAC will continue to break into the district and state post-season play.”
Phoenixville
Head coach: Aamina Thornton, seventh season
2018 Record: 7-3 PAC, 11-9 overall
2018 Postseason: Defeated Interboro 17-7 in opening round of District 1-2A playoffs before suffering a season-ending 16-2 setback to Radnor in district quarterfinals
Players to watch: Seniors: Sydney Alling, Ameerah Green (Robert Morris), Gabby Herschell, Ava Morris, Sydney Schramm, Kyra Trafford, Madison, Morgan Wineburg. Juniors: Katie Baker, Ally Bonshock, Emma Brown, Bev Lewis, Mary Michaud, Lily White, Maddie White. Sophomores: Alana Lathan, Andrea Hook, goalie Caroline Schwartz.
Key losses to graduation: Becca Lewis, Tyler Hall, Megan Gibbons, Jessica Dauphinais, Carly Michaud, Emma Visnov
Coach’s season outlook: “‘Be Brave in Attempt,’ quote from the 30 for 30 documentary about Eunice Kennedy Shriver,” Thornton said. “It was a powerful message, and I am hoping to give these young stars the tools necessary to become competitors, teammates and take these lessons and apply them to life … We have other sophomores that are looking to step up this year. We also have a freshman goalie who is looking to make an impact.”
Phoenixville grads playing lacrosse in college: Megan Nemeth, Kim Rutherford, Jacy Sterritt, Becca Lewis, TJ Jeffries, Angela Hayde, Bridget Gibbons (club)
Pope John Paul II
Head coach: Maureen Burger, seventh season
2018 Record: 10-0 PAC (Frontier Division champion), 10-3 PAC overall, 14-6 overall.
2018 Postseason: Lost to Boyertown 14-13 in PAC Final Four semifinals … Lost to Mount St. Joseph Academy 12-11 in opening round of District 1-2A playoffs
Players to watch: Seniors: Caroline Slattery, A/M; Julie Cherneskie, M/D. Juniors: Julia McLaughlin, M/A; Maeve Riley, D.
Key losses to graduation: Monica Rapchinski (A), Grace Cobaugh (M), Charlotte Williamson (GK), Julia Latoff (M)
Coach’s season outlook: “We graduated some very talented seniors and will be looking to the team to step up,” Burger said.
Pottsgrove
Head coach: Kirsten Urie, eighth season
2018 Record: 1-9 PAC Frnotier (2-11 league overall), 6-12 overall
Players to watch: Seniors: Emily Williams, A (West Chester University); Alyssa Petrucelli, M; Allie Reppert, M; Jordyn Mayes, D; Anna Carrol, D. Juniors: Summer Walker, D. Sophomores: Sydney Tornetta, M; Riley Simon, M. Freshmen: Katie Bean, A; Sydney Wasdick, M.
Key loss to graduation: Brooke Saylor
Coach’s season outlook: “The Pottsgrove Lacrosse team is approaching this season with a whole new look and new attitude,” Urie said. “This season, we have a large roster with 33 players, which gives us depth that we have not had in previous seasons. We are returning the entire starting lineup, minus Brooke Saylor (2018 graduate), and have gained multiple newcomers with a lot of talent. These newcomers, combined with the leadership and skill from the upperclassmen, are going to lead us to a successful season. Every day the coaching staff is seeing improvement in all areas on the field and we are looking to be competitive all season long.”
Pottstown
Head Coach: Brandy Scherer, third season (13 years with program); Assistant Coach: Sam Mazzie
2018 record: 2-8 PAC Frontier, 8-10 overall
Players to watch: Seniors: Da’zah Regusters, M (UDC); Reilly Owens, G (Gwynedd Mercy); Abigail Krause, A (Johnson & Wales); Taylor Sundstrom, A; Maryam Belgrave, M/D. Juniors: Christina Butler, M/O, Winni Weng, D; Adriana Hayward, D; Marianna Pearson, D. Sophomores: Destri Roye, M.
Key losses to graduation: Ebony Reddick, Jayla Holloway
Coach’s season outlook: “While we graduated our leading scorer for the last four years (Ebony Reddick), I think there is a lot of opportunity for others to step up and grow,” Scherer said. “Our defense will be looking to continue the success we had in settled 7v7 last year. While we were used to relying on Ebony to take it to goal, we actually have quite a few other scoring threats that are hopefully ready to step up. For the first time in a few years, we will actually be fielding a JV team which will help us to grow and develop over the next couple of seasons. As always, we are looking for small successes each day.”
Spring-Ford
Head coach: Kristi Holstein, first season (former Spring-Ford head coach from 2005-08), succeeds Amy Short
2018 Record: 2-8 PAC, 8-11 overall
Players to watch: Seniors: Ashley Hudak, M; Cassie Marte, M (Lehigh); Katie Metzler, A (Nazareth); Jill Quigley, A (Florida); Liv Yeagle, M (Dickinson); MaryPat McKenna, D (Franklin & Marshall); Michaela Haney, A (Penn). Juniors: Lauren Constantine, A; Natalie Mason, D; Hannah Sharkey, D.
Notes: Marte and Yeagle were second team All PAC-Liberty selections in 2018.
Key loss to graduation: Mikayla Lynch (defense)
Coach’s season outlook: “We have a solid foundation of returning players and many younger and inexperienced varsity players who have stepped up their level of play,” Holstein said. “This group of girls has kept an open mind to new ideas and they are quickly learning and executing them which will bring them success … As a team we have both long and short term goals. In the long term we hope to make it to the PAC championship and advance in districts further than Spring-Ford has before. Short term goals include improving each practice and every game, to push each other to be the best players we can be and to capitalize on the small details.”
Upper Merion
Head coach: Angie Yanocha, 14th season
2018 Record: 5-5 PAC, 8-10 overall
Players to watch: Seniors: Riley O’Malley, M; Molly Weygand, M; Zoey Nikolaou, D. Sophomores: Anya Waller, G; Catherine Merritt, A; Sarah Adams, M.
Notes: O’Malley and Wygand were first team All-PAC Frontier selections in 2018.
Key losses to graduation: Quinn O’Malley, Karli Friend, Andrea Davis
Coach’s season outlook: “We have a lot of strength in our senior duo midfielders- Molly Weygand and Riley O’Malley,” Yanocha said. “Surrounding them is a mix of young and old, experienced and not as experienced at the Varsity level. We’ve worked hard in the off-season training with conditioning and an indoor league. We need to rely on our experienced leaders and have a lot of communication on the field. Strengths also include our enthusiasm and team bonding. Hoping to improve with each scrimmage and each game into the season…We hope to be very competitive within the PAC Frontier Division.”
Upper Perkiomen
Head coach: Catie Sobotor, first season, replaces Susan Flack
2018 Record: 5-5 PAC Frontier, 7-12 overall
2018 Postseason: Lost to Villa Maria Academy 16-1 in opening round of District 1-2A playoffs
Players to watch: Seniors: Courtney Bauer, M; Kathryn Bieler, A; Morgan Fiorito, A; Mikayla Folk, A; Grace Lehman, A; Tori Shive, D; Erin Boyle, D; Taylor Wismer, D. Sophomores: Caitlin Bauer, D/M; Bella Carpenter, A; Makenna Phipps, G.
Key losses to graduation: Hope Flack, Erika Boyer, Elizabeth Fox.
Coach’s season outlook: “We have a good mixture of senior leadership and experience along with some new players that will be getting an opportunity to play,” Sobotor said. “The potential is there, and we are looking forward to working hard and trying to get better with every practice and game.”
