Mathewson paces Garnet Valley repeat
In addition to Daily Times Player of the Year Hannah Keating of Agnes Irwin, the rest of the All-Delco girls lacrosse team includes:
Emily Mathewson, Garnet Valley: The junior attacker was a dominant force as she guided the Jaguars to their second consecutive PIAA championship. The All-American and All-Central League honoree was at her best in the state playoffs. A two-time All-Delco, Mathewson registered five goals and two assists in the state-title victory over Conestoga, and finished with 80 on the season. She also was outstanding in district and state playoff victories against Springfield and Archbbishop Carroll. The Vanderbilt recruit has more than 200 goals in her already stellar career.
Avery Murphy, Archbishop Carroll: The senior attacker was a big reason why the Patriots (18-2) captured their 15th straight Catholic League title. A two-time All-Delco pick, Murphy also earned All-American honors in back-to-back years. She paced the Patriots with 62 goals, converting 75 percent of her shots in the field. She also led the team with 83 draw controls and added 22 assists. Bound for Ohio State, Murphy is a U-19 team finalist and Catholic League MVP.
Emily Santana, Springfield: The senior attacker graduated as the top scorer in Delaware County in 2015, registering 105 goals. The two-time All-Delco and All-American selection, who led the Cougars to the District One title last spring, helped her team within one win of qualifying for this year’s state tournament. Santana also earned All-Central League honors in consecutive seasons.
Kristin Burnetta, Agnes Irwin: The junior midfielder flourished in her return from injury that cost her most of her sophomore campaign. The third-year varsity starter was a tremendous playmaker and distributor, dishing an Agnes Irwin single-season school record 70 assists to go with 28 goals. She was a force from the faceoff circle, winning 91 draw controls. The Harvard recruit notched 20 points in the PAISAA playoffs.
Jane Crager, Episcopal Academy: The senior midfielder and All-America guided the Churchwomen to the final round of the PAISAA tournament, leading the team with 53 goals. An All-Inter-Ac League honoree, Crager also posted 16 assists, 65 draw controls, 52 ground balls and 43 caused turnovers. She was a recipient of the Jackie Pitts Award for exemplifying the spirit of the game and her success in the classroom. Crager will continue her career at Michigan alongisde her twin sister Lily.
Reilly Masterson, Radnor: The senior midfielder earned All-America and All-Central League honors after helping the Raiders to a 22-3 season and a trip to the PIAA tournament semifinal round. One of the top all-around players in the region, Masterson finished fourth on the team in goals (40), and second in both points (54) and caused turnovers (30). Bound for Penn State for lacrosse, Masterson also racked up 50 ground balls and 14 assists.
Laura Pansini, Agnes Irwin: If there was an award for comeback player of the year, Pansini would be the surefire recipient. The junior midfielder returned from injury with vengence. After tearing her ACL last spring, Pansini exploded for 60 goals and 37 assists during the Owls’ school-record 2015 season, earning All-America honors. A multi-faceted player, Pansini was a terror on defense as well, registering 33 groundballs and 18 caused turnovers. Bound for Princeton Univerity, Pansini will begin her senior campaign with 133 goals, 76 assists, 102 ground balls, 84 draw controls, and 46 caused turnovers.
Hannah Proctor, Radnor: The senior midfielder-defender was voted the top player in the Central League. She led the Raiders to the final four of the state tournament and was one of the top draw control specialists in the area, finishing with a team-high 80 wins from the faceoff circle. Proctor was an All-American selection and chosen to play on the U-19 World Cup team. She’ll play collegiately at Notre Dame.
Katy Junior, Radnor: The senior defender is best known for her blazing speed and ability to shut down the opposition’s top weapon. Junior flourished on a Radnor team that prided itself on defense and forcing mistakes. She led the team in caused turnovers (44) and ground balls (65). She will continue her career at the University of Pennsylvania.
Nicole Massimino, Radnor: The sophomore took big strides to becoming one of the most complete players in the county at her position. Massimino is the team’s backer on defense, securing the second-most ground balls on the team (57) while finishing with 24 caused turnovers. An All-American and All-Central League selection, Massimino was also one of the top contributors on Radnor’s basketball team that qualified for the PIAA Class AAAA tournament. She’s given her verbal commitment to Notre Dame for lacrosse.
Sarah Platt, Agnes Irwin: The junior defender capped off a remarkable season with All-American and All-Inter-Ac League honors. White is a fiesty defender who rules the 8-meter arc. The Vanderbilt commit “gets her stick on everything and her slides are lightning fast,’ said Agnes Irwin coach Jen Duckenfield. Platt caused 37 turnovers and picked up 24 ground balls during the Owls’ magical 2015 season. She will represent her country in the U-19 World Cup games in Scotland next month.
Kate White, Agnes Irwin: The junior defender earned All-America honors as a third-year varsity starter for the Owls. A scoring defender, the Dartmouth recruit notched 21 goals, collected 41 ground balls, 67 draw controls, and led the team with 56 caused turnovers. While the All-Inter-Ac League honoree can score when needed, her bread and butter is lockdown defense. In her sterling career, White has posted 128 caused turnovers, and figures to be one of the best in the country again next year along with fellow All-American selection Platt and freshman Maria Pansini.
Hailey Andress, Agnes Irwin: The sophomore was remarkable in her first full season as goalie. Prior to 2015, Andress had never played the position, but she was a force in net for the Owls during their amazing run to the PAISAA championship. Andress proved to be the top netminder in Delco, saving 62 percent of shots faced. In addition, she had 19 ground balls and four interceptions. Facing top competition, including games against Manheim, Moorestown (N.J.), Episcopal Academy and Central League champion Conestoga, Andress finished with double-digit saves. She has committed to play lacrosse at Cornell.
