Presenting 2023 Daily Local News All-Area Girls Lacrosse Teams
First Team
F – Ellie Wisch, Jr., Conestoga — Wisch amassed 55 goals with five assists, She was also valuable in the draw circle, winning 26 on the season. Her size and strength made her difficult to stop in the scoring area. Wisch was placed on the first team All-Central League squad. “Ellie was a key player for us on the attacking end,” said coach Amy Orcutt. “Her ability to find the opening and score it is incredible. She stepped up for us in many games taking the draw as well.”
F – Makayla Kelly, Sr., Kennett — One of the top scorers in the area, Kelly went past the 100-goal mark for her career this season. She was named to the first team All-Ches-Mont squad.
F – Maggie Traynor, Sr., Villa Maria — The senior notched 51 goals on the year and 118 over the course of her career. She added 17 caused turnovers and 13 ground balls. Traynor was team and league MVP. She was also an all-state member and on the All-Academic team.
F – Lexie Conte, Jr., Downingtown East — The junior was named the Ches-Mont League National Division MVP after accumulating 66 goals and 15 assists. She also added 50 draw controls and now has 117 goals for her career. “Lexie Conte emerged as a significant offensive threat this season,” said coach Kathryn Kropp. “She is a deceptive player who reads the defense and capitalizes on her opportunities. Lexie is a huge asset on the draw team, effectively impacting the outcome of games with her contributions on the draw and on the circle.”
M – Kiki Liebezeit, Jr., Conestoga — The junior filled up the stat sheet, recording 34 goals, 37 ground balls, 26 draw controls and 12 assists. “Kiki was instrumental in the midfield for us,” said coach Amy Orcutt. “She is aggressive on ground balls and able to make big plays on both ends of the field.”
M – Kaelyn Wolfe, Sr., Villa Maria — The senior was an all-around force for the Hurricanes. She collected 43 goals and six assists along 40 caused turnovers, 16 interceptions, 11 draw controls and six ground balls. Among her honors, she was second in the AACA MVP voting, was named the school’s Outstanding Athlete of the Year and was selected to be an USL Academic All-American. She recorded 115 career goals.
M – Elizabeth McGurk, Sr., WC Rustin — The St, Joseph’s commit finished with 45 goals and 20 assists. She also had 51 draw controls, 16 ground balls and 14 caused turnovers. “Elizabeth is a dynamic player who excels in all aspects of the game, from controlling the draw to being one of best feeders and finishers on the offensive end,” said coach Sarah Kropp. She will go on to do great things at St. Joe’s the next four years and we will miss her presence a lot.”
M – Kaitlyn Giandonato, Sr., Great Valley — One of the most prolific scorers in the area, the senior helped the Patriots to the Ches-Mont League American Division crown. She was the MVP of the American and went over the 100-goal mark. Will continue her lacrosse career at the University of Pittsburgh. Giandonato was named to the Southeastern Pa. All-America squad.
M – Eileen Hewitt, Sr., Downingtown East — The senior is one of the top scorers in the area. She 43 goals and 47 assists this season and has amassed 137 goals and 97 helpers for her career. “Eileen Hewitt is a quiet force all over the field. Leading the team in season points in a balanced effort of goals and assists, her contributions are endless. Eileen’s consistent hard work is demonstrated by 77 caused turnovers and 17 interceptions on her career. Her effortless speed in transition is difficult to match.
M – Caitlin Hubiak, Sr., Bishop Shanahan — The senior collected 39 goals and 15 assists with 15 draw controls and 15 ground balls.
D – Lola Flynn, Sr., WC Rustin — The senior tallied 23 goals on an economical 29 shots. Flynn added 51 draw controls, 24 ground balls and 28 caused turnovers. “Lola is one of the best defenders in the area,” said coach Sarah Kropp. “This year, she stepped up into a two-way midfield role and help contribute on the offensive end. We will miss her competitive spirit and unwavering leadership on and off the field next season.”
D – Claire Fader, Sr., Bishop Shanahan – One of the leaders of the defense for the Eagles, the Eagles had nine goals and eight assists with 15 draw controls, 19 caused turnovers and 15 ground balls.
D – Sophia Geibel, Sr., Great Valley – One of the better pure defenders in the area. An excellent 1-v-1 defender, Geibel is also more than capable of joining the attack from the back. Will play next year at Franklin & Marshall.
D – Emma Nikolic, Jr., Conestoga — The junior was one of the unsung heroes for the Pioneers in the back, She collected 18 ground balls and 20 caused turnovers. “Emma is a force on the defensive end,” said coach Amy Orcutt. “Her 1-v-1 defense is outstanding and makes it hard for any attacker to beat her. She is a leader on the defensive end and her communication was key in our defensive sets.”
G – Sydney Manning, Sr., Great Valley – The senior established herself as one of the best netminders in the area. Her shot-stopping ability is top notch along with her talent for making the right pass to trigger the offense. She committed to play next season at Penn State. Manning was a Southeastern Pa. All-American selection.
Second Team
F – Chole Brown, Jr., Conestoga
F – Molly Smeins, Sr., WC East
F – Cameron Yard, Jr., Downingtown East
F – Alice Nash, Jr., Villa Maria
M – Keating Hopkins, Jr., Conestoga
M – Brynna Hill, Sr., Villa Maria
M – Noelle Albanese, Sr., Great Valley
M – Cassidy Bonura, Sr., Avon Grove
D – Ashley Plzak, Sr., Downingtown West
D – Finley Mulhern, Jr., Downingtown East
D – Kaleigh Touey, Sr., Villa Maria
G – Kylee Mellott, Fr., Avon Grove
Honorable Mention
Attack – Sofia Fanelli, Jr., Downingtown East, Lila Traynor, Jr., Villa Maria; Elizabeth Mahmud, Sr., Downingtown West; Kendall Brandon, Soph., WC Henderson; Sydney Correll, Jr., Avon Grove; Bridget Wells, Sr., Kennett; Annabelle Wiedel, Sr., Bishop Shanahan, Midfield – Allie Meyer, Jr., Villa Maria; Jordyn Krafchick, Soph., WC Rustin; Cassidy Bonura, Sr., Avon Grove; Ava Findora, Fr., Downingtown West; Delaney Harlan, Sr., Unionville; Rylee Boyd, Fr., Avon Grove; Autumn Blair, Soph., Downingtown West; Audrey Argonish, Jr., WC East; Alexis Reinard, Jr., Oxford; Stella D’Ambro, Soph., Bishop Shanahan; Lilli Bertrando, Soph., WC Henderson; Alexis Fields, Sr., Coatesville. Defense – Molly Atwell, Sr., Coatesville; Mackenzie Clark, Sr., Oxford; Lexie Barton, Sr., Downingtown East; Britney Sedano, Sr., Kennett; Olivia Greene, Soph., Villa Maria; Mackenzie Liberatore, Jr., Villa Maria. Oxford; Goalie – Alex Lepore, Jr., Conestoga; Paige Boone, Jr., Oxford; Addy Mulhern, Soph., Downingtown East; Ava Panetta, Sr., WC Rustin.
Coach of the Year
Kim Wenger, Great Valley
The Patriots have been knocking on the door for a couple of seasons, and they broke through this year. Great Valley won the Ches-Mont League American Division championship with a 10-1-1 mark. They reached the PIAA tournament as the fifth-place team out of District 1 and beat Easton in the first round, before falling to eventual 3A champion Owen J. Roberts in the quarterfinals. They were led by midfield maestro Kaitlin Giandonato, defender Sophia Geibel and goalie Sydney Manning.
