ABINGTON — There are a lot of moving pieces this year for the North Penn girls lacrosse team, but the seniors are the glue.
Two of them – Kayla Stressman and goalie Kiera Holt – had outstanding games Friday in an 11-5 victory at Memorial Field.
Stressman had a hat trick and added a pair of assists and Holt made eight saves in net, as the Knights, who are replacing nine starters from last season, evened their record to 2-2.
“Most of our team is underclassmen,” said Holt, a four-year starter who is headed to Bloomsburg next year. “There are only six seniors. So it’s been really cool to see our team go from its first scrimmage at Methacton to where we are now, picking it up and learning new things at practice.”
Added Holt: “This one felt good, coming off the overtime loss to Council Rock South. And we were able to beat Abington for the second year in a row after losing to them in the playoffs in 2021, so that was good.”
Kiera Holt made eight saves in North Penn’s win over Abington. (Kev Hunter/MediaNews Group)
North Penn jumped out to a 5-1 lead and was ahead 6-2 at the break.
The Ghosts brought plenty of firepower but Holt stood firm.
“It was pretty hard to read their shots, and they were hard shots,” she said.
The senior made some impressive stops, helping to keep NP firmly in front.
North Penn huddles during its battle with Abington. (Kev Hunter/MediaNews Group)
Meanwhile the offense was connecting and finishing.
“We came out strong and I think that’s what set the whole game up,” Stressman said. “We have a bunch of new people but everyone’s stepping up.”
Kayla Stressman scored three goals and had two assists in North Penn’s win over Abington. (Kev Hunter/MediaNews Group)
Said Stressman of the attack: “I think the offense did a good job composing ourselves. We pulled back when we needed to and were able to go when we needed to.”
Lauren Blanch, another senior, added a pair of goals for the Knights. Steph Gibson had a hat trick and an assist for the Knights, Katie Harkins scored twice and Grace McGeehan contributed a goal.
North Penn’s Maddie Brown (6) races out to defend Abington’s Lucia Scarpello. (Kev Hunter/MediaNews Group)
“We were doing a nice job finding the open player and making some nice passes,” North Penn coach Heather Mellow said. “The girls are trying to figure out how to gell together because they’re not used to each other. We lost nine starting players from last year so a lot of these girls are starting fresh. It’s a young team and we’re just trying to figure each other out still.
“Our seniors have come through as really good leaders for us. They are definitely teaching the younger kids and working with them. The leadership is great.”
Abington huddles during its clash with North Penn. (Kev Hunter/MediaNews Group)
Haley Hamsher had a nice game for the Ghosts, scoring twice. and Audrey Silverman, Katie Pennekamp and Harper McGinley added a goal each for Abington.
North Penn 11, Abington 5
North Penn 6 5 – 11
Abington 2 3 – 5
NP goals-assists: 8 Katie Harkins 2-1; 9 Lauren Blanch 2-0; 18 Steph Gibson 3-1; 28 Grace McGeehan 1-0; 35 Kayla Stressman 3-2.
Abington goals-assists: 7 Haley Hamsher 2-0; 35 Audrey Silverman 1-0; 5 Katie Pennekamp 1-0; 42 Harper McGinley 1-0.
Saves: Kiera Holt (NP) 8; Jadyn Bagby (A) 5.
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