Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 5/11/22 – From Staff Report
This is not a story about a top-ranked team winning a major conference/league championship for an outgoing coach who won countless games in a highly-recognized lacrosse program.
George School may not be considered a top-rated girls’ power, but Nancy Bernardini has built a reputation as a legendary coach, mentor, leader and pioneer of girls’ sports in her amazing 44 years at the Quaker boarding school in Bucks County. Bernardini has announced her retirement after coaching lacrosse all 44 years; 31 as head coach (three Friends Schools championships) . She also coached field hockey 30 years (and 14 years as an assistant) and coached basketball for 44 years (12 as head coach). Bernardini also was an athletic director and a physical education teacher.
Bernardini and her Cougars earned an 18-3 win over Moorestown Friends in the Quaker Cup title game today in Newtown. The Quaker Cup provides a post-season tourney for the Friends Schools teams that don’t play in the Final Four league tournament.
Senior captain Ire Thompson posted 11 saves (8 in first half) and Victoria Opiatowski had four goals, five groundballs and and four draw controls while Lexi Matson led the attack with four goals and three assists. Jules Kyle had three goals and an assist and Izzy Matson contributed two goals, one assist, six draw controls and six groundballs.
“The team played their best game all season, with senior goalie and captain, Ire, having the best game of her career,” Bernardini said. “In the first half alone, Ire made 8 amazing saves. George School left it all on the field today.
“Each person playing an amazing game. Moorestown kept GS on our toes, by being fast and aggressive throughout the game, but GS kept its composure and did an awesome job. Kudos to Vic and Izzy for coming up with 10 draw controls, and congrats to the defense that collapsed on the MFS attack.”
Bernardini’s career is not over. She will take George School to the PAISAA Tournament for the first time.
During her tenure at George School, Bernardini held many positions. She has served on countless committees, was a classroom teacher, physical education teacher, dorm parent, dorm head, advisor, department head, and head coach of multiple sports, and worked as the girls’ athletic director from 1987 to 2020.
Bernardini was an exceptional student-athlete herself. She attended Ursinus College where she is recognized as a Hall of Fame Athlete highlighting her success playing basketball, field hockey, and lacrosse. She also was a member of the US National Field Hockey Team where she played from 1976 until 1980.
George School 18, Moorestown Friends 3
(Quaker Cup Finals)
Half: GS 9-1
George School
Rachel Delie – 1 goal
Jules Kyle – 3 goals/1 assist
Tamera Maignan – 1 goal
Lexi Matson – 4 goals/3 assists
Izzy Matson 2 goals/1 assist/6 draw controls/6 ground balls
Alice Morrison – 2 goals/1 assist
Victoria Opiatowski – 4 goals/5 ground balls/4 Draw Controls
Caroline Rawlings – 1 goal/1 assist/1 draw control
Tori Gallagher – 1 assist
Peyton Copeland – 3 Draw Controls
Ire Thompson 11 saves (8 saves in first half)/16 shots/3 goals
Kat Kenny – 0 saves/0 shots/0 goals
