By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 6/12/10
HERSHEY – Seniors Courtney Campbell, Allie Martin and Ellie Kraus combined for 10 goals and Annie Woehling made 11 saves in goal, helping Radnor defeat Springfield-Delco, 14-7, and repeat as Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) girls’ lacrosse champion.
The Red Raiders (26-1), who topped the Cougars three times this year, have won both PIAA crowns and are 75-2 in the past three years.
Two seasons ago they won the District 1 Class AAA title; in that year there was no official state champion.
Unlike the first two meetings between these Central League powers – who were ranked 1-2 in the PA Media Rankings – Radnor jumped out to an early lead and never was challenged. In the first two games, the No. 1 Raiders had to rally in the second half and still managed only eight goals each time,
But today, Radnor raced to a 5-0 lead in the first 10 minutes of play to take command. Meanwhile, junior goalie Woehling held the Cougars (23-3) with a number of key saves in the opening half.
Campbell, one of 10 Radnor seniors, had four goals and one assist. Martin had three goals and two assists while Kraus tallied three goals and senior Kelyn Freedman had two goals and one assist. senior Ali Kelly also had a goal and an assist and senior Amalia Antonoplos added one goal.
“Right now it’s the greatest feeling ever,” said Campbell, a senior who will play at Richmond next year. “It’s really special because all 10 of our seniors are playing together for the last time. We’ve been playing together since elementary school, so it’s special, and sad!”
Other Radnor senors included defenders Alyssa Dunlap, Andrea Feldman, Allison Heath, and Lindsay Pancoast.
The Raiders held an 8-3 halftime lead and never allowed the Cougars to get closer than four goals (10-6). Radnor scored four of the game’s final five goals over the last 18 minutes of play.
“We had our eye on the goal the whole time and every single player stepped up with confidence and it awesome to see the team effort,” said Freedman, who will play at Georgetown. “The first two games (against Springfield) were close and we knew we didn’t play our best both times.
“Our goal was to get our early and never look back, and we did.”
Woehling said the Red Raiders wanted to have a good start after falling behind to Springfield in the first two games.
“We knew that no one player was going to do it themselves,” she said. “We all had to contribute. The fact we were able to play as a total team was key to our strong start.”
“I think the senior leadership was there and once they got here they weren’t about to let it go down the tubes,” added Radnor coach Phyllis Kilgour. ”
Nathalie Basunga led the Cougars with two goals while Valerie Paolucci had a goal and an assist. Shannon Burns, Courtney Kennedy, Alex Poplawski and Lauren Notofrancesco each scored once. Janel Folkomer made three saves in goal.
Radnor 14, Springfield-Delco 7
Radnor 8-6-14
Springfield-Delco 3-4- 7
Radnor:
Courtney Campbell 4g, 1a
Allie Martin 3g, 2a
Elis Kraus 3g
Kelyn Freedman 2g, 1a
Ali Kelly 1g, 1a
Amalia Antonoplos 1g
Annie Woehling 11 saves
Springfield-Delco:
Nathalie Basunga 2g
Valerie Paolucci 1g, 1a
Alex Poplawski 1g
Courtney Kennedy 1g
Lindsey Mace 1a
Shannon Burns 1g
Lauren Notofrancesco 1g
Janel Folkomer 3 saves
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