(This is one of a series of HS girls’ previews for the 2021 scholastic season)
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 3/17/21
Villa Maria Academy
League: Catholic Academies (AACA)
Coaches: Allie Sweeney, 5th season as head coach, 65-9; Erica Roebuck is my assistant
2019 Record: AACA 3rd straight undefeated season and championship, AA District 1 Championship, AA State Runner-up
Key Players: Margie Carden (senior, attack), Kyla Branco (senior, goalie), Maggie Traynor (sophomore, attack), Allie Meyer (freshman, midfield)
Others to Watch: Jackie Carden (senior, defense), Abby Irvine (senior, defense), Alex Touey (senior, midfield), Clara Meehan (junior, midfield)
Coach’s Outlook for 2021: “Villa is excited to be back on the field for 2021. It has been a long year without lacrosse and doing virtual team meetings did not stack up to the real thing. We tried to keep some team unity with virtual workouts and team bonding with trivia and other games. It was difficult for us but this year is going to be a positive one just because we are all able to be together. The team has a large senior class to lead us. There is some young new talent also that we are excited to see how they can contribute. Overall the season has a little bit of a question mark attached but we still believe we will find much success with working together and playing united.”
St. Basil Academy
League: Catholic Academy League
Coaches: Head coach-Karen Dowd, I’ve been at the school for the past 3 years; this is my 2nd year as lacrosse coach; my assistant this year is Courtney Weiss
2019 Record: I was not involved with lacrosse in 2019.
Key players: Seniors: Carie Fielder, Maddie Stampone, Lauren Metro; Juniors: Grace Marchese, Ava McCrea, Alexandra Mahoney, Kiera Whalen; Sophomore: Colleen Mullin
Other key players to watch: Sophomores: Molly Courtney and Zoey Surratt; Freshman: Grace Hopkins and Kiera Martin; Goalies: Kylie Duggan and Maggie Eidenshink
Coach’s Outlook: “Last year was looking promising and I was really optimistic that we would be a contender until the pandemic hit and all things were shut down. For this year 2021, it’s looking really good with how the team has been practicing and working really hard. I believe and have the utmost confidence in this group of girls that St. Basils will be aggressive and hungry for a winning season. This is the last time that these girls will be playing together at the school since it will be closing at the end of the year. This group of young ladies will not be defeated and will be fighting to the bitter end. St. Basil’s Academy, STRONG and PROUD!”
