By Harry Chaykun
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 4/29/12
There’s something about the Katie Samson Lacrosse Festival that makes it one of the most important events that a Radnor High lacrosse player will be a part of each season.
“Courtney Campbell (Radnor Class of 2010) said it was better than Christmas, and that’s become our saying,” Radnor head coach Brooke Fritz said Saturday after her team – the host for the 12th annual Festival – took the wrappings off a big present, a 16-6 decision over Episcopal Academy at the 12th Katie Samson Festival.
“I’ve been hearing from a lot of our (former) players who had their own games today and were so upset they couldn’t be here for this.”
The Red Raiders win came on the heels of their big 17-10 Central League triumph over Harriton Thursday.
“That made this a big week.” Fritz said. “Now I hope we can have three or four more big weeks.”
Senior Natalie Miller and junior Shannon Quinn both tossed in a pair of goals in each half and juniors Taryn Deck and Lyndsey Britton got two goals apiece for the Radnor attack, which built an 8-2 halftime lead and answered EA’s two early second-half goals with a six-goal run that turned on the 10-goal clock with just under eight minutes to play.
“When we lost to Conestoga, we told ourselves we just couldn’t afford to lose again,” Miller, a Georgetown recruit, said. “We have high expectations, and we have to do whatever we can to make sure we can get as high a seed as possible for the playoffs.”
Like all Radnor lacrosse players, Miller has been touched not only by Katie Samson’s story, but also by the way the former Red Raiders goalie has become a part of the program at her alma mater after suffering a spinal cord injury while attending Middlebury College (Vt).
“This day means everything to us,” Miller said. “It’s awesome to have Katie as our volunteer coach and to be around her. It’s great to be able to do something to support this cause.”
Quinn, who has committed to William & Mary, played against two Episcopal players who will be her college teammates – MC Curran and Lynda Michaels.
“From the time I visited that campus I wanted to go (to William & Mary),” she said.
“I can’t remember the first time I came to (the Katie Samson Festival). I know I was (young) then. And now getting to know Katie makes this day mean even more for all of us. It’s great to get a big win today.”
Curran scored twice in the second half for Episcopal Academy.
“We’ve got to keep playing hard and getting better,” Miller said.
Radnor 16, Episcopal Academy 6
Episcopal Academy 2-4—6
Radnor 8-8—16
Episcopal Academy: MC Curran 2G, Ali Singley 1G, Taryn Gallagher 1G, Kristen Hinckley 1G, Lynda Michaels 1G, Madison Craft 1A.
Radnor: Natalie Miller 4G, Shannon Quinn 4G, Lyndsey Britton 2G 1A, Taryn Deck 2G 1A, Taylor Quinn 1G, Libby Lowry 1G 2A, Lindsay Grossman 1G, Sydney Cowles 1G, Kristen Norden 1A, Moira Mahoney 1A.
Saves
Episcopal—Lindsey Reder 8
Radnor—Grace Collins 5
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