Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 7/30/11
From Press Releases and Staff Reports
Mount St. Joseph Academy has named Jenny Duckenfield as its head lacrosse coach.
Duckenfield, widely known as “Coach Duck,” in the Philly lacrosse community, led Strath Haven to a share of its first Central League championship and a state playoff berth in 2010. Duckenfield’s Panthers were the only team to defeat Radnor that season as it won its second straight Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association title; she was named a Phillylacrosse.com Honorable Mention Coach of the Year.
Duckenfield has been an assistant coach for the Philly team at the Under Armour Underclassmen Games the past two years and serves as Director of the Philly Girls’ Showcase, a major recruiting event held in November at Episcopal Academy. She also coaches for Ultimate Goal, a top Philly girls’ club program.
Duckenfield also is known as an advocate for Philly girls’ lacrosse through her association with the Pennsylvania Area Schoolgirls Lacrosse Association (PASLA) and her efforts in running popular fall and winter leagues as well as year-round clinics.
Mount St. Joseph, a member of the Athletic Association of Catholic Academies (AACA), placed third in the league last year and advanced to the District 1 playoffs.
The opportunity to lead the Magic caught Duckenfield’s eye after first-year coach Jenna Washabaugh resigned to attend graduate school.
“I know the girls very well from Ultimate Goal and they always enter competitive teams in my fall and winter leagues,” she said. “I’ve also worked with many of the girls over the years in my clinics.
“There is a strong nucleus of players to build upon. They remind me a lot of my girls at Haven. They have a passion for lacrosse and want to get better. ”
Duckenfield also had praise for the Magic administration and prior coaching staff. “I’m very grateful to (Athletic Director) Janet Columbro, “we had a great interview and I felt right at home.”
Duckenfield hopes to see her team challenge for the AACA title with three-time defending champion Merion Mercy and perennial power Villa Maria Academy.
“I look forward to coaching against longtime friend Danielle McCaffrey, coach at Merion Mercy),” said Duckenfield. “Every season she is the team to beat in the AACA.
“Former coach Jenna Washabaugh did a great job with the team last season. There is a lot of talent to work with.
Returning seniors for the Magic include tri-captains Burke Brabson (committed to La Salle), Laura Pacheco, and Ashley DePaul. Maddie Haas, Haley Hendel, and Maggie McCabe also made contributions to the varsity last season.
The Magic boasts a strong junior class, including three girls who have started since freshman year – Olivia Gannon, Dominique Nyzio, and Emilee Ehret. Meghan McCabe, Marley Breslin, and Alex Lista all have significant varsity experience, while juniors Maddie Quirk and Jane Black and sophomore Natalie Bohner also bring varsity experience.
“I’m really looking forward to working with all of the girls as well as the athletic staff and school administration,” said Duckenfield. “It feels good to be back.”
