By Harry Chaykun
Phillylacrosse.com Posted 3/27/12
Springfield-Delco girls’ lacrosse coach Keith Broome said it best after his team opened Central League play with a 14-8 decision over host Haverford High at A.G. Cornog Stadium Tuesday night.
“It’s a game I’m glad to have over,” Broome said. “Haverford always plays well against us, and this is a tough week for the Geiger family.”
Kathleen Geiger, who owns championship rings from her playing days at Temple as well as with Team USA, is a member of Broome’s coaching staff. Her older daughter, Katrina, is one of Haverford’s senior captains. Younger daughter Allison, who attends Haverford Middle School, sings the national anthem before Fords home games, while husband Alan watches the games from the stands with the intensity that comes to all parents when their daughter is on the field.
Tuesday night, Springfield sophomore Emily Verica was Katrina Geiger’s shadow throughout the Central League opener for both teams. She got help from several teammates, including Alex Poplawski and Michelle Gilday, in holding Geiger to four goals, three of which came in the last nine minutes, after the Cougars (2-0) had taken a 13-5 lead.
“Facing Katrina was definitely a challenge,” said Verica, who also contributed a pair of goals to the Springfield attack. “Mr. Broome runs our defense, but Mrs. Geiger me told that I should know the things that Katrina would do.”
Katrina Geiger tried to play through the calls that went against her Tuesday. She had one good scoring chance in the opening half turned away by Springfield goalie Chrissy Hughes, and one of her shots hit hard off the post and sailed away.
Her first goal came on an eight-meter shot with just under 10 minutes until halftime, and she didn’t score again until 16 minutes of the second half had been played, again on an 8-meter attempt.
“It’s disappointing the way this turned out,” Katrina said of her last chance to get a Central League win over Springfield. “You just hope that maybe you can see them again (in the district playoffs).
“They have great girls on their team who are excellent lacrosse players. Next week during spring break, we go to Virginia and they’ll be there, too.”
Caroline Doran scored two goals for Haverford, and sophomore goalie Nikki Harnwell turned aside 10 shots.
Maddy Lynch led Springfield with five goals, while Nathalie Basunga and freshman Emily Santana chipped in with two goals apiece.
“We have high hopes this year,” said Lynch, who is headed to Princeton University. “The weather has been great this spring, and it’s helped us have good practices and a lot lighter mood when we are out there practicing.
“We’re all looking forward to going to Virginia and seeing Haverford down there.”
Springfield (Delco) 14, Haverford 8
Springfield-D 6-8—14
Haverford 4-4—8
Springfield: Maddy Lynch 5G, Emily Verica 2G 1A, Emily Santana 2G, Nathalie Basunga 2G, Alex Poplawski 1G, Tori Grossi 1G, Emily McCarry 1G.
Haverford: Katrina Geiger 4G 1A, Caroline Doran 2G, Olivia Martin 1G, Amanda Case 1G.
Saves
Spr Chrissy Hughes-4
Hav-Nikki Harnwell-10
