By Scott Johnston
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 5/29/10
Senior midfielder Amanda Denger scored five of her game-high six goals in the second half as Nazareth broke open a close game at intermission and cruised to 17-8 win over host Emmaus to capture the District 11 girls’ lacrosse championship Friday.
The Blue Eagles, who also defeated Emmaus, 10-9, in the Lehigh Valley Conference championship game, won their 21st game in a row after a season-opening loss to District One’s Lower Merion. Nazareth will return to Memorial Field in Emmaus at 5 p.m. Tuesday to face Downingtown East, the No. 5 seed from District One, in the opening round of the PIAA state playoffs. Emmaus ends its season at 13-8 after falling to their rival for the fourth time this year.
Senior Lindsay Whipple, a first-time all-league perfomer, added three goals and three assists while Kathleen Bezik also had a hat trick for Nazareth. Midfielder Alex Edwards chipped in with two goals and a game-high four assists and Hilary Holecz added a pair of goals for the Eagles, who led 6-3 at the break. Rachel Strzelecki played a solid game in net.
Emmaus was led by sophomore Colleen Ehrig, who netted three goals. Two other sophomores – Katie Hillegass and Caitlin Bryan – added a pair of goals for the Hornets, who lose just two seniors off of this year’s squad.
