DLN ALL-AREA: Walheim takes Villa Maria back to state final in Hurricane farewell
MALVERN >> For Daily Local News 2019 All-Area Girls Lacrosse Player of the Year Abby Walheim, the No. 1 memory of her high school lacrosse career at Villa Maria Academy will always be the PIAA Class 2A title the Hurricanes won last year.
“That whole season was so fun and it couldn’t have ended a better way,” said Walheim. “It was also really cool to win it with my sister, Lizzy, because it was the last time we were going to play a team sport together. I’ll never forget the first play of the game when I won the draw, ran down, and passed it to Hannah Young who finished the play with a goal only 10 seconds into the game. It was a perfect start followed by a perfect ending.”
This past spring was pretty special, too, as the Hurricanes captured the PIAA District 1 Class 2A title, defeating Springfield 9-8 on a game-winning goal by Walheim with just 18 seconds left. Walheim finished that game with a hat trick, and won numerous draw controls.
The 6-foot Walheim was dominating on the draw controls this spring, winning 251 of them for Villa Maria (24-2). In the PIAA 2A state semifinal against Archbishop Carroll, she won 15 draw controls as the Hurricanes pulled away from the Patriots for a victory that sent them to the PIAA 2A state finals again.
“This year, I was most successful at getting the draw to myself and using my height as an advantage to grab the ball,” said Walheim. “I also think that I improved [on the draw] on placing the ball to wherever I wanted it to go, whether it was to Adele Iacobucci or Jacki Murray on the circle.”
Walheim, a US Lacrosse All-American, also scored 73 goals and dished out 72 assists as the Hurricanes won their third straight undefeated AACA league title and their second consecutive District 1 2A championship.
Regarding her game-winning goal in the District 1 2A final, Walheim credits it to Hurricane teamwork.
“The original play that was drawn up was a play we have ran many times before, and it was for Bridget Finley,” said Walheim. “Springfield’s defense did a good job on her, so the play unfolded and it was kind of a free for all. Hannah Young had the ball, so I snuck up behind her as she gave me a flip pass. I saw an opening in between our defenders and so I went for it. I knew the time was ticking down so when I saw an opportunity.
“After coming out of a [Villa Maria] timeout right before the play, I was confident in my teammates and in myself. We all trusted each other and it led to success.”
Walheim is used to working alongside others, as she is the fifth of six Walheim siblings — in chronological order: Bray, Kristen, Andrew, Lizzy, Abby and Joe. Kristen played basketball at Catholic University and Lizzy plays lacrosse at Fairfield University.
“My sisters have taught be so much during my high school athletic career,” said Walheim. “The most important thing that I’ve learned from them is how to be a leader. Watching them move on to the next level and be successful has motivated me to work hard and encourage my teammates to do the same. They have always supported me no matter what and I definitely would not be the athlete I am today without them.”
When it came time to pick up the reins of leadership for the Villa Maria lacrosse team, Walheim came through with flying colors.
“Over the years Abby provided so much leadership both on and off the field,” said Villa Maria lacrosse head coach Allie Sweeney. Abby is an invaluable player, and she played a huge part in our success this year. She will be sorely missed next year – our younger girls have a big role to fill.”
An outstanding two-sport athlete, last winter Walheim became the fifth Villa Maria basketball player to score 1,000 points. She averaged more than 17 points and six rebounds for the Hurricanes this winter, and led Villa Maria to the District 1 5A girls’ basketball championship. In the final, the Hurricanes defeated Mount St. Joseph’s, 61-37, at Temple University’s Liacouras Center.
Off the basketball court and lacrosse field, Walheim participated in Athletic & Spirit Association, National Honor Society, Math Honor Society and Peer Ministry at Villa Maria.
Walheim began her lacrosse career in third grade, playing in the Chester Valley Girls Lacrosse program alongside future Villa Maria teammates Adele Iacobucci and Kristy Kucia.
“We have been playing together for so long so it has been a lot of fun with [Iacobucci and Kucia],” said Walheim. “I have always loved the fast pace and competitive aspect of lacrosse. I also love how I am able to contribute all over the field, offensively and defensively, in order to bring success to my team.”
In the fall, Walheim will be heading to Villanova University, where she will be majoring in business, as well as tending to business on the lacrosse field.
“I chose Villanova because I know it will challenge me athletically, as well as academically,” said Walheim. “I love the beautiful campus and the school spirit is amazing. I would love to play midfield there but I know that any opportunity that I am given will be great.”
Walheim was pleased with her improvement in the offensive end this spring but is currently working on fine-tuning her defensive skills.
Asked what she thought was the most improved aspect of her game this spring, Walheim responded, “I feel that my most improved aspect this season was my ability to dodge defenders and finish at the goal – towards the end of the season, I definitely felt more confident in taking my defender 1 v 1, and once I got past them, I focused a lot on faking the goalie and placing the ball in the back of the net. I am currently still working on my footwork on defense and being able to stop opponents in the midfield.”
FUN FACTS: ABBY WALHEIM
Favorite TV show: One Tree Hill.
Favorite movie: Hoe to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.
Favorite athlete: Josh Hart.
Favorite pre-game pump-up song: Going Bad, by Meek Mill and Drake.
Favorite team: Philadelphia Eagles.
Favorite place to visit: Sea Isle City, N.J.
Favorite pre-game meal: Peanut butter sandwich.
Person I most admire, and why: “I admire my grandfather, Pop, because he motivates me to perform at my best ability.”
