Bleckley sisters part of Carroll’s 22nd straight Catholic League title
ASTON — Ava and Chloe Bleckley do not take for granted everything they have accomplished together on the Archbishop Carroll lacrosse team.
The Patriots secured their 22nd consecutive Catholic League championship with a 20-3 victory over Cardinal O’Hara Friday at Neumann University.
The Bleckley sisters, both of whom will continue their lacrosse careers at James Madison University, never let an opportunity to win a PCL title go to waste. And even though the Patriots are a shoo-in to win it all every year – coach Lorraine Beers’ program has won 276 straight games against league opponents – the success at Carroll has fostered a stronger bond between Ava and Chloe.
“I’m already excited for when she comes to JMU in two years,” Ava, a senior, said of her sister. “It’s awesome for our family and it’s a special connection that we share. On the field, we are just teammates, but there is that special connection we will always share as sisters.”
Ava Bleckley and Chloe Bleckley were among a bevy of outstanding performers who delivered for the Patriots on Friday. Ava tallied four goals and one assist, while the junior Chloe recorded two goals and two assists. The Bleckley sisters’ efforts have been instrumental in overpowering their opponents and securing yet another championship title for Carroll.
Chloe made the tough decision to give up basketball and focus solely on lacrosse coming into the school year. She was a big fan of the basketball team’s success in the winter season, watching from afar as her friends and former teammates won a PIAA Class 5A championship.
Chloe has similar goals for the lacrosse team, which will enter the Class 2A tournament in June as the two-time defending state champion.
“It’s so much fun to be a part of this team and compete for the PCL title. No one wants to be on the team that ends the (22-year) streak,” she said. “It was really hard giving up basketball, but sometimes some things just need to happen.”
From the opening whistle, Archbishop Carroll wasted no time asserting its dominance, scoring the first five goals against a very good O’Hara team that made great strides this season under the guidance of first-year head coach Jen Armstrong.
The Patriots’ offensive onslaught in the opening minutes was a tone setter. They controlled the majority of draw controls and flexed their collective muscle on the defensive side. Catie McConaghy, who added a goal and an assist, Meg Sheridan and Jayanna Ramsey-Wills excelled on defense in front of goalie Bridget Robinson, who made five saves.
“We practice every day like we are in a game and we never stop working hard,” Henry said. “Even in games where we are winning by a lot, we treat it like it’s any other game. Coach Beers, she is one of the greatest I have ever seen and we all love playing for her. She is the G.O.A.T.”
Lainey Straub contributed three goals and two assists for the Patriots.
Machaela Henry was another standout offensive player, registering four goals and two assists. Brooke Hippert found the back of the net 18 seconds in regulation to give Carroll a 1-0 advantage. The junior scored a second time later in the half.
Sam Hewitt produced a goal and two assists on Carroll’s first three scores. Hewitt’s second goal with 38 seconds left in the first half put the Patriots in front, 12-2, triggering the running clock.
Because District 12 will only have one team participating in the Class 2A state tournament (Carroll), the loss marked the end of the road for O’Hara. Claire Natoli scored 115 goals in her senior season. Honor Breen, Natalie Diblasi and Carley Smith each had a goal Friday.
