By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 2/4/09
Abington senior goalie Alisha Aquilino has signed a letter of intent to play at St. Joseph’s University.
Aquilino, a first-team All-American and All-Phillylacrosse.com pick last year, 
said she fell for the City Line program and campus from the start.
“I fell in love with the lacrosse program, they were all so cool and the coach was perfect for me,” she said of Hawks mentor Denise Roessler. “The campus is beautiful and really peaceful.”
Aquilino led the Ghosts to a share of the Suburban One National Conference crown with North Penn last year. She posted 120 saves and helped Abington reach the District 1 Class AAA quarterfinals.
She said she wanted to stay close to home so her family could see her play. Two of her biggest supports are her father, Chris Aquilino, the head coach for Archbishop Wood’s girls’ team, and her older brother, Ursinus senior goalie Tony Aquilino.
“I love the fact it’s close to home,” said Alisha, who plans to focus on marketing. “My parents can come whenever they want to. Being too far away would probably stress me out.
“I know I definitely will have to fight for a position, but that’s something I’m willing to do. I want to make a difference on that team.”
Aquilino said she knows she can count on her brother and father for advice when she needs it.
“They help me a lot,” she said. “Whenever something is going on with me, I can always run to my dad or brother.
“If they are watching me, they can tell me what I am doing wrong. They are always right, they read me so well. My brother and dad taught me everything.”
Aquilino, in fact, said she speaks with her brother after almost ever game.
“We normally talk after every game,” she said. “He’ll ask me how it was, and I will explain something, and he’ll say to keep me eye more on the ball and do less talking. He’s got me under control.
“Goaltending is all mental,” she added. “If I keep that (part) right, and focus on the physical game, I think I’ll be good.”
Aquilino is looking forward to a successful high school season. Abington lost several key seniors from the 2008 team, but returns a slew of veterans.
“We should have some underclassmen really stepping up offensively, and we have a huge senior class,” she said. “I think we’ll be just fine. We’ll pick up where we left off.”
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