Simpson scores 100th career goal as Lansdale Catholic beats rival Conwell-Egan

LANSDALE >> The seeds were planted four years ago…

“When I was in eighth grade and decided to come to LC, and I started getting serious about lacrosse,” Emily Simpson remembers, “I do remember, there was this one player, Jacqui Jester. She graduated in 2017 and had a big banner in the gym.

“I kinda looked up to her and knew she left a big mark on the program. I kinda set a goal for myself to get a hundred goals…”

The dream was transformed into sweet reality on Tuesday afternoon, as Simpson notched her 100th career goal in an 18-4 victory over Philadelphia Catholic League rival Conwell-Egan.

“It was super exciting,” said Simpson, who poured in a game-high five tallies. “It was a really good game for us — everyone played really well. It was definitely an exciting moment for me, especially it being my senior year.”

The win raised LC’s unbeaten record to 4-0, including a 1-0 mark in the PCL. Simpson, needing five goals coming into the game to get to 100, reached the historic milestone midway through the first half. She was soon mobbed by her teammates.

“She’s been a leader since Day One,” said Crusaders coach Jamie McCarney, now in her third season guiding the program. “She’s always asking what more she can do. She encourages girls to come out for the team, encourages the younger girls out on the field. And she’ll stay after practice with them.

“Overall, she’s an amazing player. I can’t wait to see what else she brings to this season.”

Simpson, headed to Bloomsburg University next year, led a high-powered LC attack.

Eight different players scored and another three had assists as the Crusaders continued to roll.

“We had lost a lot of seniors from last year so I wasn’t sure how we were gonna shape up,” McCarney said. “But this is our best start since I’ve been here. We’re hoping to beat O’Hara to get to 5-0. Some girls are nervous for it but I said it’s good to be nervous. It should be an exciting game. We’ll just go out and do what we can.”

Lansdale Catholic is at Cardinal O’Hara Thursday night at 5 and Egan is off until Tuesday, when it takes on St. Hubert’s at Holy Family University at 6:30 p.m.

Lansdale Catholic 18, Conwell-Egan 4
Conwell-Egan 1 3 — 4
Lansdale Catholic 12 6 — 18
Lansdale Catholic goals-assists: 7 Kate Fredrickson 1-1, 14 Paige Czincila 0-2, 24 Bridget Herron 1-0, 10 Anna Cusumano 0-1, 9 Emily Simpson 5-1, 8 Ava Mercier 3-1, 2 Rylee Fanelli 4-0, 34 Brielle U’Selis 0-1, 4 Bella Heller 1-0, 22 Maddy Calafati 1-0, 23 Maddie Kennedy 2-1.
Conwell-Egan goals-assists: 9 Carlee 2-0, 4 Sam 1-0, 14 Liliana 1-0.
Saves: Summer (C) 7; Shea Maxwell (LC) 5.