Reporter/Times Herald/Montgomery Media 2021 Girls Lacrosse Season Preview

The 2021 season is a return to action for The Reporter/Times Herald/Montgomery Media girls lacrosse teams after the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out all of last year.

For Dock Mennonite, it’s a whole new beginning as the school fields a varsity squad for the first time under head coach Michelle Waldspurger, who also leads the Pioneers’ field hockey team.

“We are young without any seniors, we have a very athletic group of girls so it will be exciting to watch them develop and grow as a team,” Waldspurger said. “We have great leadership already and really focusing on building basic skills and team unity.”

Dock, which will compete in the Bicentennial Athletic League, plays its inaugural game Wednesday at Bensalem then holds its first home game April 9 against Quakertown.

The BAL lost Lower Moreland and New Hope-Solebury to the Suburban One League, which now features 23 teams split into two divisions. Souderton shifted over to the National Conference, which last saw Central Bucks West, North Penn and Central Bucks East end in a three-way tie for first in 2019.

North Penn returns three starters, including junior Emily Varilla, who was an all-conference second team pick as a freshman. West’s lineup includes William & Mary commit Paige Gilbert, who in 2019 earned SOL National honorable mention.

“West has a ton of talent and I am looking forward to seeing this program reach full potential all while having fun, and playing the game we love,” Bucks coach Nicole Fisher said.

Abington is the defending SOL American champ after a perfect run through the conference two seasons ago. Upper Dublin and Upper Moreland aim to stay among the American’s top sides – the Cards led by UMass-Lowell commit Jenn McCarry.

Gwynedd Mercy and Mount St. Joseph are looking to keeping the pace in a tough Catholic Academies that features 2019 PIAA-2A champion Villa Maria. Both the Monarchs and Magic made the District 1-2A quarterfinals in 2019.

In the Philadelphia Catholic League, Archbishop Carroll has its eyes locked on securing a 20th consecutive league title. Lansdale Catholic, meanwhile, looks to better the four PCL wins from 2019 under first-year coach Jamie McCarney.

“I’m super excited that we are finally able to be on the field together as a team and having a season,” McCarney said. “COVID has been super tough and challenging, but lacrosse is one of the major things bringing people back together.”

ABINGTON
Coach: Amalie Kreitman (second season).
League: SOL American Conference.
2019 Record: 15-4 (9-0 SOL American), lost to West Chester Rustin in District 1-3A first round.
Players to Watch: Maddie Hinkle (Sr., Midfield), Abby Johnson (Sr., Midfield), Lesha Karba (Sr., Midfield), Mei Mei Cheng (Jr., Midfield), Zoe Freedman (Sr., Defense), Lilly Alessandro (Sr., Midfield), Chloe Herghelegiu (Sr., Goalkeeper).
Outlook: “I think this is going to be a great year for our team,” Kreitman said. “We are a little smaller then what I would like to be but I think we are going to be even fiercer because of low numbers.”

ARCHBISHOP CARROLL
Coach: Lorraine Beers (21st season)
League: Philadelphia Catholic League
2019 Season: PCL champ, District 12-2A champ, lost to Villa Maria in PIAA-2A semifinals.
Key Losses: Kelli Ann Matey (Delaware).
Top Returners: Keri Barnett (Sr., Midfield), Jessica Basciano (Sr., Midfield), Karlie Dougherty (Sr., Midfield), Sophie Kevtan (Sr., Goalkeeper), Kiley Mottice (Jr., Midfield).
Outlook: We are excited to be back in Carroll uniforms and competing for a 20th PCL championship,” Beers said. “Our team has many alumnae, siblings and parents in healthcare and other essential businesses. We are so proud of their work.”

CENTRAL BUCKS WEST
Coach: Nicole Fisher (second season).
League: SOL National Conference.
2019 Record: 14-6 (7-1 SOL National), lost to Downingtown East in District 1-3A second round.
Key Losses: Maddy McGarry, Emma Harring, Ryan Kelly.
Top Returners: Shelby Hahn (Sr., Midfield), Paige Gilbert (Sr., Midfield), Brooke Deily (Sr., Midfield), Caroline Crecca (Sr., Defense), Hope Dryden (Jr., Defense), Erika Evan (Jr., Midfield).
Others to Watch: Margot Harring (So., Goalkeeper), Megan Weyer (Sr., Midfield), Kate Weyer (Fr., Midfield), Nina Mayro (Fr., Midfield).
Outlook: “We are making the most of every minute spent together this season,” Fisher said. “Now more than ever we make sure that no practice or competition day will be taken for granted. We are a younger program that has also lost a year of competition. To offset this we have been working hard, emphasizing all of the little things, and challenging each other to get better together.”

DOCK MENNONITE
Coach: Michelle Waldspurger (first season).
League: Bicentennial Athletic League
Players to Watch: Emma Kratz (Jr.), Kenzie Derstine (So.).
Outlook: “We are extremely excited to be a part of the first ever girls lacrosse team,” Waldspurger said. “We are young without any seniors, we have a very athletic group of girls so it will be exciting to watch them develop and grow as a team, we have great leadership already and really focusing on building basic skills and team unity.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the girls who are willing to try a new sport and learn and we are pumped to be playing despite COVID-19.”

GWYNEDD MERCY
Coach: Deb Lawlor (12th season).
League: Athletic Association of Catholic Academies.
2019 Record: 14-6, lost to Springfield-Delco in District 1-2A quarterfinals.
Key Losses: Alden Boccella, Emma Fiore, Grace Hirschmann, Carrie Johnston, Peyton Palazzo.
Top Returners: Nicole Conwell (Sr., Attack) Sophie Giovannone (Sr., Goalkeeper), Izzy Fiore (Jr., Attack), Cassidy Palazzo (Jr., Midfield), Alana Mandato (Jr., Midfield).
Others to Watch: Audrey Beck (So., Midfield), Maddie Wenz (So., Defense), Keira Cassidy (So., Attack), Sydney Man (So., Attack).
Outlook: “GMA is playing EVERYDAY remembering how things can slip away. The team is focused to #Play4Her,” Lawlor said. “Our goal is to play for the girls who lost their season. We have a game plan, team goals, excellent leadership and talented players. I am delighted in our preparations and drive in preparing for the season ahead with lots of determination and teamwork.”

LANSDALE CATHOLIC
Coach: Jamie McCarney (first season).
League: Philadelphia Catholic League.
2019 Record: 4-6 PCL.
Top Returners: Grace Picozzi (Jr., Midfield), Emily Simpson (So., Midfield), Brielle U’Selis (So., Defense).
Others to Watch: Keira Trainer (So., Attack), Caroline Kerr (Jr., Goalkeeper), Ava Mercier (So., Midfield).
Outlook: “Our strength is having key returning players who are really stepping up and can be versatile on the field,” McCarney said. “Our weakness which can turn into a strength is having a very young team. Young does not mean not skilled, we have very skilled young players who will be able to step up and be a threat in the league. I’m super excited to be a part of the PCL with the great competition.”

NORTH PENN
Coach: Heather Mellow (seventh season).
League: SOL National Conference.
2019 Record: 11-9 (7-1 SOL National), lost to Garnet Valley in District 1-3A second round.
Key Losses: Grace Sacchetti, Casey Cavanaugh, Alexa Juska, Ashley Lambert.
Top Returners: Lily Szilagyi (Sr., Attack), Alli Lindsay (Sr., Attack), Emily Varilla (Jr., Midfield), Kiera Holt (So., Goalkeeper).
Others to Watch: Jordan Baily (Jr., Attack), Danielle Preston (Jr., Midfield), Kayla Stressman (So., Attack), Kat Rimmer (Sr., Attack), Caroline Hoy (Sr., Defense), Laynie Doran (Sr., Defense), Ella Burget (Jr., Defense), Hannah Mallitz (Jr., Midfield/Defense), Grace Macnamara (So., Midfield/Defense), Riley O’Donnell (Fr., Attack/Midfield), Kerry O’Donnell (Fr., Midfield/Attack), Erin O’Donnell (Jr., Attack), Michelle Park (Sr., Midfield), Julia Yannul (Sr., Attack), Maura Schaeffer (Sr., Defense).
Outlook: “We are simply looking forward to playing this season,” Mellow said. “We only have three returning starters from 2019, but we have a lot of potential talent in every position. As long as we can remain healthy, it’s going to be an exciting season for us.”

PENNRIDGE
Coach: Karen Feher (seventh season)
League: SOL National Conference.
2019 Record: 5-12 (3-5 SOL National).
Key Losses: Jill Csaszar, Shay Banks (Chestnut Hill), Maddie Banks.
Top Returners: Peytan Rimmer (Sr., Attack), Aubrey Maher (Sr., Midfield), Maddy Edinger (Jr., Midfield), Amelia Loughery (Jr., Midfield), Lauren Rush (Jr., Defense).
Others to Watch: Kate Unzicker (Fr., Midfield), Kendall Posey (Fr., Midfield), Ava Fantaskey (Fr., Defense), Grace Rosica (Fr., Defense), Brenna Craig (So., Goalkeeper).
Outlook: “This year our motto for the season is ‘Play like you only get one game,’” Feher said. “We are leaving everything out of the field. We have our experience from our upperclassman and the energy and passion from the underclassmen. We are excited to get back on the field and win the season!”

SPRINGFIELD-MONTCO
Coach: Marissa Conover (first season).
League: SOL American Conference
2019 Record: 8-10 (2-7 SOL American), lost to Upper Moreland in District 1-2A first round.
Key Losses: Charlotte Henry, Irene Bui.
Top Returners: Maddie Yoder (Sr., Midfield), Ella Marino (Sr., Midfield), Lauren Corrado (Sr., Attack), Molly McGoldrick (Sr., Defense).
Others to Watch: Maddie McDevitt (Fr., Defense), Emma Yoder (Fr., Midfield)
Outlook: “This is my first year as head coach – so I am taking it all in,” Conover said. “This year we have a really young team, but we are looking to use that to our advantage. We have a strong midfield which allows us to be strong all around. I am really looking forward to seeing our girls come together and create magic out on the field! I am so grateful these girls get to play this season.”

UPPER DUBLIN
Coach: Dee Cross (13th season).
League: SOL American Conference.
2019 Record: 13-7 (6-3 SOL American), lost to Conestoga in District 1-3A second round.
Key Losses: Mack Moore, Jackie Rama, Julia Reardon, Lydia Casey, Aileen Kohlbrenner.
Top Returners: Jenn McCarry (Sr.), Maisie Hanson (Sr.), Riley Brady (Sr.), Allie Rock (Sr.), Erin Eby (Jr.).
Others to Watch: Tess Reardon (Jr.), Allison Gay (So.), Devin Fabry (So.), Kelly Senior (So.), Aditi Foster (Fr.), Paige Dinkel (Fr.), Ella Lyon (Fr.).
Outlook: “UD graduated a lot of talent from last year. The girls are looking to rebuild and challenge in the SOL American Conference and become a contender again,” Cross said. “We have a strong group of underclassmen that are working hard to contribute this season.”

UPPER MORELAND
Coach: Kim Frantz (fifth season).
League: SOL American Conference.
2019 Record: 13-7 (6-3 SOL American), lost to Bishop Shanahan in District 1-2A quarterfinals.
Key Losses: Cassidy Hirsch (West Chester), Chloe Leiter (La Salle, Emma Meakim (Kutztown), Meghan O’Donnell (West Chester), Moira Olexa (Old Dominion), AbbyEllen Wood (Messiah), Madison Zachwieja (soccer, Mansfield), Bryanna Gordon, Alexis Lamb, Bella Guarenghi, Meadow Kaden.
Top Returners: Kat Morrow (Sr., Midfield), Maddy Trzaska (Sr., Attack/Defense), Heidi Wittick (Jr., Midfield), Riley Mullen (Jr., Defense), Emma Hurley (Jr., Goalkeeper).
Others to Watch: Meredith Marsteller (Sr., Defense), Isabel Leiter (So., Midfielder), Charlotte James (So., Attack), Jenna Piantieri (So., Attack), Regan Cummins (So., Attack), Breanne Knox (Jr., Midfield), Zoe Valdevenito (Jr., Midfield/Attack).
Outlook: “This year’s team continues to be very passionate about lax and willing to work hard to get better every day!” Frantz said. “We will have a lot of players stepping into new roles this year and we are excited to see how they shine. We are looking forward to being competitive in the American Conference and we are just grateful to be able to play and hopefully have a full season.”