As the weather around Chester County heats up, so do the final weeks of the girls lacrosse regular season. Three local teams make up the top five spots in District 1 (Conestoga, Great Valley, Unionville), and nine find themselves inside the playoff picture.
Bishop Shanahan has been one of the hottest teams in the district. After dropping four of their opening five games, the Eagles have responded with six-straight wins.
“We came out of our Great Valley game with a new-found confidence that we have carried with us for the six games,” senior captain Tara Morrissey said.
One of the key reasons for their turnaround is due to their revamped offense. In their first five affairs they averaged seven goals per game. Since their last loss, against Great Valley, they are posting 16 goals per game.
Shanahan’s offense has been paced by Alyssa Manley. The junior currently sits fourth in scoring among all local teams with 35 goals. Morrissey has also been a key contributor, leading the team with 12 assists.
They will look to make it seven straight today when they host a desperate, and underrated, Downingtown West team.
Another program who is been red hot is Villa Maria. After losing three of their opening-four games, the Hurricanes have responded by winning reeled off six of their past seven.
Last week they picked up two-key victories (Mt. Saint Joseph Academy, Abington) each by the score of 9-8. On Saturday they downed Abington in the Katie Samson Festival thanks to a Lucy Meehan overtime goal.
Audrey Fantazzia has been the leader of their offense with 22 goals and 10 assists this season. Lauren Dunn has also been tremendous, tallying 14 goals and seven assists.
Back in the Ches-Mont League, Downingtown East picked up its fourth-consecutive victory last Thursday thanks to an impressive comeback against rival Downingtown West (8-7). After erasing a three-goal deficit late in the second half, Leah Hunter won the game in double overtime on a feed from Kallie Gray.
Finally, congratulations are in order for Conestoga. Besides being the last undefeated team in District 1, April has proved to be the month of the number 100 for them.
The Pioneers’ head coach, Amy Orcutt, picked up her 100th career victory against Radnor. Liz Scott, Sondra Dickey and Monica Borzillo all surpassed the 100-goal mark in the past-two weeks. On top of that Borzillo picked up her 100th career assist.
“It was an exciting moment to share with our teammates on our home field,” Dickey said.
Notable games this week include, West Chester East at Kennett (today), Downingtown West at Bishop Shanahan (today), West Chester Rustin at West Chester Henderson (today), Rustin at West Chester East (Thursday), Great Valley at Henderson (Thursday), Kennett at Unionville (Thursday).
Bracketology
If the playoffs started today….
(1) Conestoga vs. (32) Merion Mercy
(4) Great Valley vs. (29) Strath Haven
(5) Unionville vs. (28) North Penn
(11) Bishop Shanahan vs. (22) Methacton
(16) Downingtown East vs. (17) Kennett
(24) West Chester Henderson at (9) Radnor
(30) West Chester Rustin at (3) Springfield (Delco)
(20) Villa Maria at (13) Boyertown
Just outside: West Chester East (35), Downingtown West (36)
