Bonner & Prendergrast’s proud season ends in loss to defending champ Villa Maria

RED HILL — The Villa Maria Academy girls lacrosse team picked up right where it left off in state play Tuesday night with a 21-4 win over Bonner & Prendergast in the opening round of the PIAA Class 2A tournament at Upper Perkiomen High School.

The defending champion Hurricanes (22-1) jumped to a 10-0 lead in less than 10 minutes and led 15-2 at the half. The match was delayed for 30 minutes at the half due to lightning in the area and called with nine minutes remaining due to a thunderstorm.

District 1 champion Villa advances to a Saturday quarterfinal at a time and place to be determined against the winner between District 2 runner-up Wyoming Seminary and Lampeter-Strasburg, the fourth-place team from District 3. The season ended for the Pandas (13-6), who finished second in District 12 and were making their first state appearance.

Hannah Young, who led the Hurricanes with five goals, says her team does not take any opponent lightly, despite its success the past two seasons.

“We try to respect every game as if it might be our last,” the junior attack artist said. “We try to focus on offense, where we are on attack and moving our feet.”

“We want to start out strong,” added Villa senior midfielder Abby Walheim, who dominated the draws throughout the match. “Two years ago, we lost to (Bishop) Shanahan in the elite eight. It’s important to get everyone in the game because we all have something to work on.”

Villa took the lead just 11 seconds into the match on a goal by Sarah Delaney, assisted by Young. Then Marge Carden scored off a pass from Walheim 37 seconds later and the Hurricanes were off and running.

Walheim and Delaney each finished with three goals and Carden, Bridget Finley and Jaclyn Murray each scored two. The Pandas’ Lindsey Fagan broke up the 10-goal Villa string with a score with 14:46 remaining until the half. She finished with two goals and an assist and Panda goalkeeper Chloe Menear made three saves.

The loss ended a much-improved season for Bonner & Prendie, and could be a sign of things to come.

“First time in school history for states,” Bonner & Prendie coach Jason Blemings said. “My first year as coach. We were 7-10 last year and turned that around to 13-5 coming in. The best thing is we only have one senior starter. We’re looking for bigger and better things. This was gravy being here.”