By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 7/20/17
MIDLOTHIAN, Va. – Two-time Brine National Lacrosse Classic High School champion Pennsylvania rolled to two easy wins Thursday and finished Pool Play at a perfect 4-0 at the River City Sportsplex.
Pennsylvania will meet New England Friday at 8 a.m. on Field 4 in the quarterfinals. The PA squad won its games handily Thursday over Florida, 17-0, and Ohio, 16-2.
Arianna Lavelle, a 2018 attack from Merion Mercy Academy and Fairfield commit, is one of only two returnees from last year’s team.
“I came back because I had such an amazing time with a different group of girls and it’s great to play with such great and athletic people,” Lavelle said. “I feel like it’s great to find such great success and such chemistry after just two days; you can’t find that. And we never stop giving it our all.”
Lavelle scored three times in the win over Ohio and 12 others scored at least once. Goalies Gianna Stalletti (2020 from Owen J. Roberts), and Aria Dietrich (2019 from Upper St. Clair) have been strong in goal.
Charlotte Rapp, a 2019 defender from Germantown Academy, decided to try out for the NLC to play against high competition.
“I just wanted to get some more experience and this had a really good reputation,” she said. “We are playing at a high level and the team is so positive.
“We have been congealing so well and it’s so different from other showcases where people are kind of selfish. Everyone is giving it our all and we are all really giving personal sacrifices, like really running after balls so the team keeps possession. Everyone is working their hardest and making it work really well.”
Sophie Murray, a 2019 defender from Owen J. Roberts, also feels the team’s closeness.
“I did hear from one of my high school teammates that played the year before and she had a good experience,” Murray said. “Nobody is selfish and everybody passes the ball.
“Everyone is positive and we pick each other up and encourage each other. Also, we have the state vs. state tournament that others don’t have. It’s a cool experience.”
Also from PA:
The PA boys’ HS team finished 1-1-2, closing Pool Play with an impressive 6-6 tie against undefeated Ontario – but it failed to make the payoffs.
in the Middle School Academy Division, the PA girls went 4-0 and will meet Virginia in the quarterfinals at 9 a.m. The PA girls’ youth team is also undefeated and got a first-round bye. It will play in the semifinals against the Long Island-Upstate NY winner at 10 a.m.