By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 3/25/08
The girls’ lacrosse season kicks off in earnest today with several key games, including a night game between visiting Bayard Rustin and rival West Chester East. The season’s first Phillylacrosse.com Scholastic Girls Top 10 Poll:
1. Springfield-Delco (0-0) – The Cougars have lost a slew of standouts from a squad that went 21-0 and breezed to a second straight Class AA crown, but coach Keith Broome has several Division I signees – midfielders Aly Adams (Penn State) and Samantha Tajarian (Richmond) and attacker Rebecca Hartrum (Old Dominion) – so expect them to be ready for Thursday’s opener at Penn Charter.
2. Bayard Rustin (0-0) – Led by Penn signee Allison Tatios (midfield), Rustin opens with a key showdown tonight at West Chester East.
3. Ridley (1-0) – The Green Raiders, last year’s Class AAA runner-up, started strong by whipping Henderson, 15-4, as Maryann Miller had four goals and three assists and goalie Danielle Abbruzzese stopped 10 shots. They play at Abington Saturday.
4. Great Valley (0-0) – The Patriots enter the Ches-Mont League with lots of experience, led by All-American midfielder Kim Wenger and goalie Steph Berger. They open Wednesday against visiting Haverford.
5. Strath Haven (0-0) – The Panthers lost seven starters from a team that lost to Springfield in the AA final, but return junior midfielder Emily Garrity – who had 100 goals last year, has 182 in two seasons and is ranked 23rd in the Sports Illustrated TAKKLE Top 100. They open today at Avon Grove.
6. Radnor (0-0) – The Raiders host West Chester East Friday in their opener as veteran coach Phyllis Kilgour goes for career win No. 500.
7. Archbishop Carroll (0-0) – The seven-time defending Catholic League champion Patriots open Wednesday by hosting Kennedy-Kenrick. They’ve won 106 straight league wins; make it 107.
8. Conestoga (0-0) – The Pioneers figure to rebound from a subpar (11-9) season and open March 31 at home against Carroll.
9. North Penn (0-0) – The Maidens – who will depend on Division I signees Lauren Caminiti (Temple), Julie Mineweaser (St. Joseph’s) and Ali Herman and Sara Ciaverelli (La Salle) – open today at Boyertown.
10. Penncrest (1-0) – The Lions made a big splash by topping defending AAA champion West Chester East, 10-7. Caroline Moore and Nicole Lord scored three goals apiece and Penncrest raced to a 7-1 halftime lead.
Under consideration: Episcopal Academy, Hatboro-Horsham, Boyertown, Unionville, West Chester East, Pottstown.
