2022 Mercury Girls Lacrosse Team-By-Team Preview
BOYERTOWN
Head coach: Pam Wernersbach, 18th season
Last year’s record: 7-7 overall, 7-6 PAC, 4-6 Liberty
Players to watch: Emma Beidler, Sr., M; Jasmine Fink, Sr., M; Allison Pioli, Sr., M (Shippensburg); Grace Rinehimer, Sr., D; McKenzie Schealer, Sr., D; Allie Schell, Sr., A (Univ. of Colorado – Colorado Springs); Cori Bieber, Jr., A; Elli Ferraro, Jr., G; Delaney Fox, Jr. A; Hailey Gruber, Jr., A; Bailey Leatherman, Jr., M; Emma Moyer, Jr., D; Bella Slupski, Jr., D; Alina Friz, So., A
Outlook: The Bears have most of their starters back from last season, including All-PAC Liberty selections Allie Schell (first), Emma Beidler (second) and Allison Pioli (second). Boyertown should be able to go toe-to-toe with almost everyone in the league this year and have a chance to play itself into the PAC and District 1 playoffs.
DANIEL BOONE
Head coach: Catherine Burger, fourth season
Last year’s record: 5-9, 3-6 Berks
Players to watch: Amanda Spotts, So., M; Marlee Fetrow, So., M; Clara Lacek, Sr., A; Lily Stefanelli, Sr., D
Outlook: The Blazers have a young group that’s still establishing itself in the Berks County league, but the future is bright. “Though we are a younger team, the team has already shown so much improvement and we are excited to see the continued growth,” coach Catherine Burger said. “We are returning many midfielders who played as freshmen and now show so much experience and confidence in transition.”
HILL SCHOOL
Head coach: Mo Gaitan, fourth season
Last year’s record: 5-4 (2-2 MAPL)
Players to watch: Annika Nordhoy, 2022, M; Emma Lewis, 2022, A; Emma Gray, 2022, D; Maddi Orsi, 2022, M; Annabella Schafer, 2023, M (Maryland); Sam Cifra, 2023, G (Virginia Tech)
Outlook: The Blues suddenly go from inexperienced to experienced as All Mid-Atlantic Prep League selections Annika Nordhoy and Emma Lewis are back in the mix for a group whose only two seniors last season missed significant time with injury. Things will look a bit more like normal this season as the Blues get back to a traditional schedule after a modified 2021 campaign. They had a chance at a share of a league title in their final MAPL game against Lawrenceville last season.
METHACTON
Head coach: Laurie Markle, 16th season
Last year’s record: 13-5 overall, 10-3 PAC, 7-3 Liberty (District 1-3A second round)
Players to watch: Jayme Weber, Sr., A (Old Dominion); Mackenzie Clark, Sr., G (Cornell); Delaney Smith, Sr., M (Lynn); Mikayla Sheedy, Sr., D; Megan Sanelli, Jr., A (Saint Joseph’s); Michelle Zhai, Jr. (Columbia)
Outlook: The Warriors have one of the league’s top returning cores, bringing back All-PAC Liberty players Jayme Weber (first), Mikayla Sheedy (first), Delaney Smith (first), Mackenzie Clark (first) and Megan Sanelli (second). Mthacton finished second to Owen J. Roberts in the Liberty Division a season ago, and while it seems unlikely the Warriors or anyone will unseat the Wildcats the Warriors should have aspirations of reaching the league playoffs and possibly making a run in districts.
NORRISTOWN
Head coach: Annie Howell-Golphin, second season
Last year’s record: 0-13 PAC, 0-10 Liberty
Players to watch: Brooklynn Pendleton, Sr., A; Azjiona Golston, So.
Outlook: The Eagles had a tough go of things in the PAC last season and things will be tough again in the league this year. Brooklynn Pendleton was a bright spot in 2022, earning second team All-PAC Liberty honors as she accounted for most of the team’s scoring along with Azjiona Golston.
OWEN J. ROBERTS
Head coach: David Schlesinger, fourth season
Last year’s record: 20-2 overall, 13-0 PAC, 10-0 Liberty (District 1-3A quarterfinals, PIAA Class 3A quarterfinals)
Players to watch: Seniors: Gracyn Smith, Lexi Muir, Quinn Defibaugh; Juniors: Gabbi Koury (Florida recruit), Alexa Vogelman (Syracuse recruit), Colby Wasson (Xavier recruit), Rachel Sbei (Furman recruit), Avery Wentzel (Duquesne recruit), Blakely Doyle (Marshall recruit), Cailin Harrington (Villanova recruit), Ava Clemson (Butler recruit), Kalli Mullen; Sophomores: Korrigan Sweeney, Marley Danielsson, Sierra Milano; Freshmen: Laina Grimm, Ashly White.
Outlook: The Wildcats have been the class of the Pioneer Athletic Conference the last seven seasons and that should continue in 2022 as they return six All-PAC Liberty players (including 2021 Mercury All-Area Player of the Year Gabbi Koury) to go for a seventh straight league title. The next step will be breaking through past the District 1 and PIAA quarters where they were stopped in both 2019 and 2021. “Owen J. should field a very competitive team in 2022,” coach David Schlesinger said. “Coming off an undefeated regular season in 2021 with a very young team, the Wildcats remain young, but experienced, with a junior-led core.”
PERKIOMEN SCHOOL
Head coach: Nicole Meehan, first season
Last year’s record: N/A
Players to watch: Isabella Berringer, Jr., G; Rylee Walsh, Sr., M; Lauren Patnode, So., A; Christina Sanchez, Sr., M; Cecelia Vassallo, Sr., M
Outlook: First-year coach Nicole Meehan brings a college background to the Panthers after spending five seasons as a head coach at Shippensburg University and two seasons as an assistant at York College. “We have a strong group of upperclassmen who are determined and experienced along with ambitious underclassmen,” Meehan said. “We have a challenging schedule both in and out of league and each game will bring us different challenges. We have a solid attacking unit, our defense is scrappy and aggressive, and an anchor in the goal cage. We are ready to compete and have the potential to make a run in the playoffs.”
PERKIOMEN VALLEY
Head coach: Rachel Zurheide, first season
Last year’s record: 6-8 overall, 6-7 PAC, 3-7 Liberty
Players to watch: Mackenzie Hanlon, Sr., M (Univ. of Colorado-Boulder); Jana Nuss, Sr., A (Leo Univ.); Kiki Rotay, Sr., M. (George Washington)
Outlook: The Vikings had three first team All-PAC Liberty team selections graduate last year, but still have a talented group in the mix for 2022 for first-year coach Rachel Zurheide, including second team selection Kiki Rotay. Perk Valley will hope to get back to the District 1 playoffs and wrestle for position behind OJR in the Liberty Division.
PHOENIXVILLE
Head coach: Aamina Thornton, 12th season
Last year’s record: 9-7 overall, 8-6 PAC, 8-2 Frontier (District 1-3A first round)
Players to watch: Kathryn Jacketti, Sr.; Maddy Schramm, Sr., G; Ella Siaton, Sr.; Gianna Thaxton, Sr.; Natalie White, Sr.; Jaime Michaud, Jr.
Outlook: The Phantoms finished as the Frontier runner-up for the third straight season in 2022 before being ousted by Methacton in the first round of districts. Phoenixville had three all-league players graduate, but returns three others in Gianna Thaxton (first), Maddy Schramm (second) and Jaime Michaud (second). In a division where most of the teams have some big holes to fill, Phoenixville should be right near or at the top of the Frontier standings at the end of the season.
POPE JOHN PAUL II
Head coach: Erik Fritzinger, first season
Last year’s record: 3-10 PAC, 3-7 Frontier
Players to watch: Marissa Memmo, Sr.; Amelia Kennedy, Sr.; Kelly Pires, Sr.; Jillian Cobaugh, So.; Maura Collins, Jr.; Catherine Mink, Jr.; Anna McElroy, Jr.
Outlook: First-year coach Erik Fritzinger has quite a bit to replace as three All-PAC Frontier players (two first, one second) graduated last season. Senior Amelia Kennedy (second team) is back along with a handful of other starters from last year’s group. “We expect to compete,” Fritzinger said.
POTTSGROVE
Head coach: Kirstin Urie, 11th season
Last year’s record: 8-8 overall, 7-6 PAC, 7-3 Frontier (District 1-2A first round)
Players to watch: Sydney Wasdick, Sr., M (West Chester); Katie Bean, Sr., A; Alaura O’Neil, Sr., M; Cecilia Burg, Jr., M; Taylor Fiorini, So., A
Outlook: This year’s group of seniors were freshmen when the Falcons won the Frontier Division and went to the state playoffs in 2019. Returning All-PAC Frontier players Sydney Wasdick (first), Katie (second) and Alaura O’Neill (second) will hope to finish their careers strong and help turnover the program for a large group of youngsters in the program. “The 2022 season will be somewhat of a rebuilding year,” coach Kristin Urie said. “We graduated our entire defensive unit and will be starting a new group of players with limited varsity experience. Our returning varsity players have done a great job of laying the foundation and setting the tone for the season. As always, we are looking to make a run at league playoffs and districts. If we work hard enough through the season we can accomplish our goals.”
POTTSTOWN
Head coach: Brandy Scherer, sixth season (15 total at Pottstown)
Last year’s record: 1-12 PAC, 0-10 Frontier
Players to watch: Taetum Robbins, Jr., A/M; Daishawnia Dean, Jr., G; Brynn McClune, So., D; Grayce Morton, So., A; Brielle Davis, Jr.; Keyora Frazier, Sr.
Outlook: The Trojans were rarely at full strength last season and are still feeling the impact of the missed 2020 season had on their program building. Without a middle school program to feed into the high school, coach Brandy Scherer has had to be “creative with recruiting” to fill out her roster. All-PAC Frontier second teamer Taetum Robbins is back in the mix for a group with its eyes on the future. “We are focusing on building our individual skills and really still learning the game of lacrosse,” Scherer said. “Our focus is to continue to improve each day individually and make forward progress as a team.”
SPRING-FORD
Head coach: Kristi Holstein, fourth season
Last year’s record: 11-5 overall, 9-4 PAC, 6-4 Liberty (District 1-3A first round)
Players to watch: Alyssa Mozi, Sr., M (Boston University); Emma Sowers, Sr., A (Gardner-Webb University); Morgan Pizzi, Sr., D; Mia Mitchell, Jr., D; Ilyana Jones, So., G
Outlook: Like many around the league, the Rams have a large senior class to replace, but their two first team All-PAC Frontier selections Alyssa Mozi and Morgan Pizzi are among the returnees back to help lead this team. The Rams went to the league title game in 2019, the last time the PAC hosted a league playoff, and will be one of the top candidates to do so again this season. “We are very excited for this season,” coach Kristi Holstein said. “With only five (returning) varsity starters and a deep group of younger talent we are working hard together to improve our skills and push one another to be better.”
UPPER MERION
Head coach: Angie Yanocha, 17th season
Last year’s record: 11-4 overall, 10-3 PAC, 9-1 Frontier (District 1-3A first round)
Players to watch: Olivia Smith, So., A; Julianna Callison, Jr., M; Ashley Evitts, Jr., M; Brooke Olsen, Jr., A; Samantha Walmsley, So. M; Julia Newby, Jr., D
Outlook: The reigning Frontier Division champions have a lot to replace, but returning All-PAC Frontier players Julianna Callison (first), Olivia Smith (second), Ashley Evitts (second) and Julia Newby (second) should keep the Vikings competitive in the division. “After graduating half of our varsity team from last season, we are a young team that lacks varsity experience,” coach Angie Yanocha said. “Our goal right now is to work on team chemistry and rebuild from last season.”
UPPER PERKIOMEN
Head coach: Catie Sobotor, fourth season
Last Year’s record: 4-9 PAC, 3-7 Frontier
Players to watch: Luci Carpenter, Sr., M/D; Lizzie Greczek, Sr., D; Lindsay Bieler, Sr., A; Mackenzie Bettys, Sr., G; Cassidy Bush, Sr., M; MaryKate Sitko, Jr., M; Payton Bettys, Jr., M
Outlook: The Indians bring back three All-PAC Frontier players in junior MaryKate Sitko (first team) and seniors Luci Carpenter (second) and Lizzie Greczek (second) and could have enough returning to jump a few teams in the division hierarchy with many teams retooling in 2022. “We have a pretty young team this year that has been working hard off campus as well as during our open gym sessions this winter,” coach Catie Sobotor said. “We are looking to build from what we were able to accomplish last season, as well as learning to grow through the adversity of the past two seasons due to Covid. … The potential is there and we are looking forward to seeing what this group of ladies can accomplish, as they grow individually and as a team.”
— Compiled by Owen McCue
