This is one of a series of articles counting down the top 20 stories of Philly lacrosse for 2010
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 1/12/11
For Strath Haven, Springfield-Delco, Episcopal Academy and Archbishop Carroll, there were many highlights in 2010 – enough to warrant the teams combining for the No. 8 Top Story of the Year in Philly lacrosse as voted by Phillylacrosse.com.
Strath Haven stunned the Philly girls’ lacrosse world when it defeated Radnor, 9-8, in overtime in early May to snap the Red Raiders’ three-year regular season winning streak. The victory ultimately led to a three-way tie for the league crown as the Panthers, Raiders and Springfield-Delco Cougars shared the title.
The Central League crown was the first for Strath Haven (18-4 final record) in its history and the win over Radnor – which went on to win the District 1 and title crowns – was named the Phillylacrosse.com Girls’ Game of the Year. Also, see video of winning goal by phillysportsvideo.com.
Strath Haven also made the headlines when nearly all its players and numerous parents attended a school board meeting in the summer to support its head coach, Jen Duckenfield, whose contract was not renewed.
Springfield-Delco, besides sharing the Central League crown, also was the runner-up in both the District 1 and PIAA tourneys. The Cougars earned a stunning come-from-behind 12-11 triumph over Carroll in the PIAA quarterfinals then fell to Radnor, 8-6, in the District 1 finals, a memorable game that was halted in the first half due to lightning.
The Cougars also lost to the Red Raiders in the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) title game, 14-7 Still, Springfield-Delco finished 23-3 and was ranked No. 29 in the final Final ESPN RISE Girls’ POWERADE FAB 50.
Episcopal Academy (16-5) won its sixth straight Inter-Ac League championship, fending off a tough challenge by Notre Dame. EA edged the Irish by one goal in each meeting, winning the title by one game and recovering from an early-season defeat to Penn Charter.
The other highlight for Episcopal Academy was an individual honor. Midfielder Taylor Trimble, now a senior, helped Philly 1 reach the semifinals at the National tournament and was named as winner of the prestigious Heather Leigh Albert Award as the top player at the tourney for the second straight year. Trimble and Downingtown East rising senior goalie Allie Murray also were named to the U19 Training Team during the summer.
Archbishop Carroll claimed its 10th straight Catholic League championship, defeating Archbishop Wood, 13-6 in the finals. The Patriots (15-6 overall) then went on to reach the PIAA quarterfinals where they suffered a heartbreaking 12-11 loss to Springfield-Delco.
Leave a Reply