By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 4/29/11
Many of the top girls’ lacrose teams in Pennsylvania will compete Saturday in the 11th annual Katie Samson Lacrosse Festival at Radnor.
Archbishop Carroll, the No. 1 -ranked team in the PA Media Rankings and ranked No. 11 by ESPN RISE and No. 12 by MaxPreps, faces Downingtown East (No. 4 in PA, No. 48 by ESPN RISE) at 12:30 PM on Enke Field.
Host Radnor – the two-time defending state champion – faces an out-of-state power in Bryn Mawr (Md.). The Mawrtians (12-2) are ranked No. 22 by ESPN RISE and just dropped an 11-9 decision to one of the nation’s top-ranked teams, McDonogh, Md. (12-0).
One of the senior members of Bryn Mawr is Kaleigh Noon, a cousin of Radnor junior Molly Samson – the younger sister of Katie Samson.
Also, Katie Samson recently joined the Radnor staff as an assistant coach.
“We will be very pumped up for the game,” said Radnor head coach Brooke Fritz. “The combination of the day and how special it is for all our girls added with the fact that Katie is a member of the coaching staff makes it even more special for us.
“Also, having the opportunity op play a top 10 team in the nation is a great challenge. I know (Bryn Mawr head coach) Wendy (Kridel) and (assistant) Kim Simons pretty well and they are great coaches for agreat program.”
Kridel said she was pleased to be involved in the event for the first time and noted that her team raised more than $2,000 for the foundation through various projects.
“Living and coaching in this Baltimore metro area, an event like this is sort of an unknown to us,” said Kridel. “It will be eye opening to see the breadth of it.
“We were honored to have been asked to play, and to get a chance to play Radnor will only make it more fun.”
There are other big games. Notre Dame Academy, ranked No. 2 in PA heading into play this week, takes on No. 5 Springfield-Delco at 10:45 AM on Enke Field. No. 6 Harriton meet Unionville at 10:45 AM on Rowland Field. Also, No. 7 Episcopal Academy plays No. 8 Conestoga at 2:15 PM on Rowland Field.
