Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 6/7/14
Staff Report
PIAA girls’ Championship
Springfield-Delco (District 1 champion, 23-2) vs. Garnet Valley (1-2, 24-2)
At HersheyPark Stadium, Hershey, noon
How Springfield-Delco got here
Emily Santana had four goals and two assists, Aly Gormley had two goals and an assist and Kate Ryan scored twice as the Cougars defeated District 1 foe Great Valley, 13-8 on Tuesday
How Garnet Valley got here
The Jaguars routed District 7 champion and previously undefeated Mt. Lebanon as Haley Warden poured in six goals, Emily Mathewson tallied four, Erica Coyne had three goals and three assists and
Kara Nakrasius scored three.
Springfield-Delco (24-2) at a glance
♦ Under veteran coach Keith Broome, the Cougars are in their second PIAA championship game. They fell to Radnor, 14-7, in the 2010 finals. Springfield-Delco did win unofficial state crowns in 2003-04 and 2006-08 when it took District 1 Class AA titles before the state sanctioned a state tournament
♦ Captured first District 1 title (under current format) since 2009 (when it downed Radnor, 14-9) by defeating Garnet Valley, 10-9
♦ Winners of 16 straight since falling to Virginia independent power Bishop Ireton, 16-8, on April 16
♦ Other loss was to Garnet Valley, 13-9, in regular season game on April 10
Cougars to watch: Emily Santana (US Lacrosse All-American), Emily Paulus (US Lacrosse All-American), Emily Verico, Ali Gormley, Kate Ryan, Autumn Spence
Player comment from junior midfielder Emily Santana: “We’re really excited and so ready. We’re getting mentally prepared because skill-wise we’re ready. I think the winner is the one that makes fewer mistakes and who wants the ball more on the draw controls.”
Garnet Valley (23-2) at a glance
♦ Under second-year coach Jenny Purvis, Jaguars are making third state title game appearance in four years. Garnet Valley won crowns in 2011 and 2012.
♦ Lost to Springfield-Delco, 10-9, in the District 1 title game and also to Maryland power Good Counsel, 13-12, on April 14.
♦ Finished a perfect 11-0 to win the highly competitive Central League title
♦ Have used the fact it failed to qualify for state playoffs as a motivator all season
Jaguars to watch: Haley Warden (US Lacrosse All-American), Dana Davis (US Lacrosse All-American), Emily Mathewson, Sabrina Fusco, Molly Savage, Erica Coyne, Kara Nakrasius
Player comment from senior goalie senior midfielder Haley Warden: “I think it comes down to who wants it more and who comes out the best prepared. I definitely think the team that comes out composed is going to come out on top. I think this year we are much more mature than last year. We didn’t have a lot of experience and this year we’re much more confident in what we are doing.”
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