By Chris Goldberg & Willie McGonigle
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 4/29/08
As the season winds down to its last few weeks of regular-season games, the league races in girls’ lacrosse are heating up. Here is a rundown on the title chases.
The two Central League heavyweights, Radnor and Springfield-Delco (both 6-0 in league) meet today (3:45 p.m.) at Springfield. The winner takes command of the chase since no one else has less than two defeats.
There are also several key games in the Ches-Mont League conferences this week. In the American Conference, first-place Bayard Rustin (3-0) travels to Great Valley (2-1) Thursday. Rustin won the first battle, 11-10 in overtime.
In the National Conference, Downingtown West (8-0) travels to Downingtown East (6-1) Thursday. West won the first duel, 15-13.
Things are not so close in the Pioneer Athletic Conference where Boyertown (8-0) is undefeated and no other team has fewer than two losses. Episcopal Academy (6-0) has also taken charge in the Inter-Ac league where no other team has fewer than two losses.
Villa Maria Academy (7-0) has practically wrapped up the Catholic Academies League regular season title by virtue of its two wins over Merion Mercy (6-2).
The Suburban One League races also have little suspense right now. Abington (7-0) has dominated the National Conference, but still must face North Penn (7-1) on the road May 8. Upper Dublin (9-0) is two games ahead in the American Conference while Council Rock South (7-0) is two losses ahead of the field in the Continental Conference.
Archbishop Carroll (5-0) is once again running and hiding in the Catholic League race. The Patriots have won 102 straight league games and beat their top competition, Archbishop Wood (6-1), 13-5 last week.
In the Del-Val League, Harriton (4-0) and Interboro (3-0) appear to be the top contenders. The teams were slated to play Monday at Interboro, but the game was postponed and will be rescheduled. The Bucs and Rams will also meet next Tuesday at Harriton.
The Friends Schools League features three unbeaten teams: Shipley (4-0), George School (2-0) and Germantown Friends (2-0).
The District 1 tournament – which features 16-team fields in classes AA and AAA – begins May 22 with games at the higher seeds. The title games are slated for June 3 at Marple Newtown.
Carroll looks strong in win over Ridley
Archbishop Carroll (9-2), which recently dropped a non-league decision to No. 9 Boyertown, made a statement at the Katie Samson Festival by handing Ridley a 16-3 defeat.
After the game was tied, 2-2, the Patriots used their speed to strike quickly and take control of the transition game.
“We knew it would be a rough, scrappy game, Ridley has a reputation of being a strong team” said Carroll senior Gabby Capuzzi, who led all scorers with three goals. “My teammates made good passes. We felt a lot of transition would help us today.”
