By Bradley Schlegel
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 5/30/15

Emily Mathewson collected three goals and four assists, including the decisive goal midway through the second half, to help lead Garnet Valley to a 14-12 victory over Manheim Township in the PIAA girls’ lacrosse quarterfinals today at Exeter.

Emily Mathewson

Kamryn McNeal added three goals for the defending state champion Jaguars (15-9), who overcame two ties down the stretch at Exeter Township High School to advance to the semis with District 7 champion Quaker Valley, an 11-8 winner over Mt. Lebanon.

Camryn Faith, Maddi Mansi and Kara Nakrasius each scored twice for Garnet Valley, the No. 5 seed from District 1.

“Getting this far is unbelievable,” Garnet Valley coach Jenny Purvis said. “These girls are fighters and winners. They are willing to do anything to get the victory.”

Maryn Bernhardt and Emily McBride each registered four goals for the seven-time District 3 champion Blue Streaks (18-8). Elizabeth Petrosky added three goals.

“I’m so proud of what this team had to overcome and the way it fighting,” Mathewson said.

Her goal with 12:24 remaining snapped a 10-10 tie and put the Jaguars ahead for good.

Manheim Township scored three consecutive goals, including two man-up scores, after a lengthy delay early in the second half to force a 9-9 tie.

An illegal substitution penalty against Garnet Valley, committed prior to the goal, led to the delay. The three referees huddled for several minutes and conferred with the rule book and scorer’s table to make sure the call was correct.

Purvis said she agreed with the call.

According to Mathewson, the Jaguars utilized the adversity as motivation to push through.

“It was difficult, but we were able to keep our composure,” she said. “The whole season, we’ve had so many heartbreaking losses, which has prepared us to fight to the end.”

Manheim Township 6 6 — 12
Garnet Valley 9 5 — 14

Manheim Township
Madison Valerio 1g
Maryn Bernhardt 4g, 1a
Emily McBride 4g, 2a
Elizabeth Petrosky 3g, 1a
Carolyn Mann 2a
Mimi Curtis 6 saves

Garnet Valley
Kamryn McNeal 3g
Emily Mathewson 3g, 4a
Camryn Faith 2g
Maddi Mansi 2g
Kara Nakrasius 2g, 2a
Michelle Koscinski 1g
Madison Valerio 1g
Madi O’Brien 1a
Sam Hamlak 5 saves

Tags: Garnet Valley