The Reporter/Times Herald/Montgomery Area 2022 Girls Lacrosse Preview
Spring is here and girls lacrosse teams are back out on the field.
In the Reporter/Times Herald/Montgomery Media area, Archbishop Carroll and Wissahickon will be two teams to keep an eye on.
The Patriots are coming off their 20th straight Philadelphia Catholic League championship and second PIAA-2A state championship. North Carolina commit Kiley Mottice will lead Carroll after scoring 59 goals and dishing out 66 assists last season.
Lansdale Catholic looks primed to challenge Carroll atop the PCL. The Crusaders only lost one senior from last year’s team that finished 9-3 in league play and reached the semifinals. Senior Grace Picozzi will be one to watch after scoring 80 goals and totaling 24 assists as a junior.
Wissahickon won the Suburban One League American Conference title last year and reached the second round of districts. First team all-area selections Emma Baker and Lexi Hobson are back as seniors after Baker totaled 92 goals and 34 assists last spring and Hobson had 26 goals and 22 assists.
The Trojans went a perfect 11-0 in SOL American play, but five teams weren’t far behind and have championship hopes for this season. Abington, New Hope-Solebury, Plymouth Whitemarsh, Springfield Montco and Upper Dublin all finished tied for second place with matching 8-3 last year.
Pennsbury won the SOL National title at 9-1 with North Penn, CB South and CR South right behind at 8-2. Souderton, CB West finished in the middle of the league standings. The Knights lost two of their best offensive players from last year, but bring back a strong defense and goalie Kiera Holt to challenge for the top spot in the league.
In the Athletic Association of Catholic Academies, Mount Saint Joseph Academy and Gwynedd Mercy Academy are both coming off trips to the district playoffs last year. The Mount made the district semifinals and state tournament while GMA reached the district quarterfinals.
Jenkintown is coming off a Bicentennial Athletic League championship and District 1-2A playoff appearance. The Drakes lost a big senior class that fueled their trip to the second round of districts, but still hope to match and exceed last year’s success.
Archbishop Carroll
Head coach: Lorraine Beers (23rd year)
Last year: PCL champs, PIAA-2A state champs
Key returners: Kiley Mottice, Emma Talago, Katie Koroly
Season outlook: “We are working hard to repeat PCL champs and keep the streak alive and also be playing in June for States.”
Central Bucks West
Head coach: Kāli Grisewood (1st year)
Last year: 5-9, 5-5 SOL National
Key returners: Hope Dryden, Riley Fitzmartin, Emma Schrant, Tai Henkels, Mason Keller, Margot Haring, Isabella Carter, Ashley Lott, Abby Rogers, Nina Mayro
Notable losses: Paige Gilbert, Meg Weyer, Shelby Hahn, Jayda Reichwein
Season outlook: “I anticipate this season to be one of learning for West. With a young varsity roster and having graduated some key contributors a lot of work is being put into developing strategies that play on each of the athlete’s strengths and stretch the contributions towards team success across the roster rather than select players. My hopes for the Bucks are to earn every win with integrity and grit and take any losses as a learning opportunity.”
Gwynedd Mercy Academy
Head coach: Deborah Lawlor (12th year)
Last year: 13-7, 10-4 AACA
Key returners: Alana Mandato, Izzy Fiore, Kiera Cassidy, Ellie Verill, Sydney Mandato, Audrey Beck, Maxine Neumeister
Notable losses: Nicole Conwell
Season outlook: “We are off to a great start. We look to move the ball well on the attack and transition with speed. Our defense is working as a unit and they inspire me everyday! Our leadership will drive us to become 1% better everyday.”
Jenkintown
Head coach: Bob Cummings (7th year)
Last year: 15-5, BAL champs, District 1-2A second round
Key returners: Sarah Cummings, Liv Spoerl, Kaelin DiMaria, Mia Visomirski , Ella Staples
Season outlook: “Despite losing a large senior class last year, we are focused on matching and exceeding our success from last season.”
Lansdale Catholic
Head coach: Jamie McCarney (2nd year)
Last year: 12-7, 9-3 PCL, PCL semifinals
Key returners: Grace Picozzi, Emily Simpson, Keira Trainer, Brielle U’Selis, Ava Mercier
Season outlook: “My outlook for the 2022 season is to continue the successful season from last year and improve even more. I only lost 1 senior last year so I am coming back with a full varsity roster with strong key players. My team has been working really hard in the off season individually so I cannot wait to see their drive come all together as a team into the 2022 season. I feel confident and ready to lead my team in competition this year. My expectations are high and I have doubt that they will excel on the field and go above my expectations. They are eager to compete. I’m super excited for this season.”
Lower Moreland
Head coach: Jessica Ashenbrenner
Last year: 5-12, 2-9 SOL American
Key returners: Emily Fee, Leila Rosala, Sara Asmann, Loren Bowles, Tori Finnegan, Kylie Tammaro, Sarah Rosala, Arlene Singh
Notable Losses: Paige Malpezzi, Maggie McGarry
Season outlook: “With 11 seniors, we are excited to bring back many key players this season. We have a huge group of enthusiastic athletes this year, including many freshmen who are playing lacrosse for the first time. Without a middle school program, each year the goal is to build new players while challenging our veteran players to improve upon the prior year. This is also our second season in the SOL and although we lost some strong players, our goal is to beat last year’s record. In addition to working hard on the field, we will also continue to promote service through a Laurel House fundraiser at the end of April where we collect items for those impacted by domestic violence.”
Mount Saint Joseph Academy
Head coach: Becky Cartee-Haring (1st year)
Last year: 17-5, District 1-2A quarterfinals, PIAA-2A state qualifier
Key returners: Campbell Donavan, Lauren Maher, Annie Shields, Sarah Hughes, Kate Donovan
Season outlook: “Coming off of a very successful 2021 season, the team is looking to continue their success in 2022. This is a team that is focused on their team culture and using that to push each other to achieve. They are looking to Win the Moment, their chosen team motto, knowing that if each player focuses on each moment, their team play and gritty play will make them successful in games and in the post-season.”
North Penn
Head coach: Heather Mellow (8th year)
Last year: 9-5, 8-2 SOL National
Key returners: Emily Varilla, Danielle Preston, Jordan Baily, Hannah Mallitz, Ella Burget, Kiera Holt, Kayla Stressman, Grace Macnamara, Kerry O’Donnell, Riley O’Donnell
Notable losses: Alli Lindsay, Lily Szilagyi
Season outlook: “We lost a lot of scoring power with the graduation of Lily Szilagyi and Alli Lindsay last year. We are looking at many players offensively to fill the void these two left. Our midfield is quick and scrappy. And our defense is seasoned and anchored by Kiera Holt in the net. Our league is tough again this year. Every team has some good players to watch out for. Our goal is to stay focused, and show up for every playing opportunity this season. If we can do that, we will do well.”
Plymouth Whitemarsh
Head coach: Ellen K. Reilly (32nd year)
Last year: 10-10, 8-3 SOL American, District 1 second-round
Key returners: Brianna Austin, Fiona Goonerate, Ella Clark, Meghann Wendler, Bri Reynolds
Notable losses: Gauntlett, Attack, Mackenzie Leszczynski, Mid, Duquesne, Haley McCourt, defense, Wingate, Brenna Budd, Defense, St. Andrews, Clancy Lynch, Goalie
Season outlook: “After the past several years of inconsistent practice and games due to the pandemic PW Lacrosse is excited to get back to the normal grind. We have a small group of experienced players who have become good leaders and whom are showing a big group of underclassmen what it takes to become a playoff team. Becoming a team and learning how to work together and jell on the field will be important with a nucleus of inexperienced players.”
Upper Dublin
Head coach: Dee Cross (14th year)
Last year: 9-8, 9-7 SOL American, District qualifier
Key returners: Aditi Foster, Tess Reardon, Allie Gay, Erin Eby, Kelly Senior
Notable losses: Jenn McCarry, Maisie Hanson, Allie Rock, Riley Brady, Sarah Brightcliffe
Season outlook: “We have a good mix of experience and good, athletic, young players. We are improving each week and hope to compete in our league. We are taking a trip to VA Beach over Spring Break to play 2 games.”
