By Molly Tow
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 8/6/11
Great Valley rising senior attack Ali Karwoski has made a verbal commitment to play Division I lacrosse at the University of Delaware.
Karwoski, recently named Honorable Mention Player of the Year by Phillylacrosse.com, paced the Patriots to the state semifinals. She led the Philly area in goals with 132 and was a First Team Ches-Mont League pick.
Karwoski, who plays club lacrosse for Mongoose Lacrosse, was named Offensive MVP in the Philly Showcase and played in the National Lacrosse Classic this summer for Pennsylvania under Great Valley coach Joe Tornetta.
“When I first walked onto the Delaware campus, I had that feeling that I was meant to be there,” said Karwoski. “The campus is gorgeous and I absolutely loved the coaches. They were so welcoming and I just can’t wait to work with them.”
Karwoski is the first Patriot to make a college commitment. Other rising seniors from Philly that have committed to Delaware are midfielder Devyn Heidelbaugh (Boyertown), attack McKenzie Rafferty (Downingtown East) and midfielder Abby Wheble (Avon Grove).
Karwoski has played club lacrosse with Rafferty, and is excited for the pair to continue their stint as teammates in college.
After the regular season, the Patriots made two impressive playoff runs, reaching the District 1 semifinals and then the state finals. In the state quarterfinals, Karowski fed Sara McBride for the game-winner to avenge a loss to Springfield-Delco in the district semis. Karwoski also fed McBride for the OT game-winner in the first round of states vs. Manheim Township.
The Patriots were eliminated in a heartbreaking one-goal loss to Ches-Mont rival Downingtown East in the state semis. Karwoski attributes Great Valley’s success to its team cohesiveness.
“We were just one big family and I think that really worked for us,” said Karwoski. “We worked well on the field together and it had great results for us.”
Karwoski feels that if the Patriots keep their strong team unity, they can be just as, if not more successful, in 2012.
“Make it to the state tournament again,” said Karwoski of her team’s 2012 aspirations. “Our major goal is to be state champs, that goal is always in mind.”
