Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 5/22/23 – From Staff Report
Mount St. Joseph senior goalie Annie Shields was looking for a little respect today when the Magic traveled to play No. 2 seed Villa Maria Academy in the District 1 2A playoffs.
“This Mount lacrosse team works hard, and quite honestly, this year I felt like we were wrongly underestimated,” said the USC signee. “In this game, we kept our composure first and foremost.”
With Shields posting 11 saves and a Mount defense that was stifling especially in the second half, the Magic surprised Villa Maria, 10-8. The Mount (14-7) will face tomorrow’s Upper Moreland/Pope John Paul II winner in the semifinals on Thursday. Villa Maria closes at 17-3.
The Mount got many other key contributions, from Kate Donovan (3g, 1gb, 2ct, 1dc), Katie Westmoreland (2g, 2gb), Maggie Rezza (1g, 1a, 4dc, 1ct), Amelia Clair (1g, 3dc),
Ava Rossi (1g, 2a, 2gb, 1ct), Morgan Smith (1g), Devin Loome (2a), Kiersten Pumila (1dc, 1gb), Kat Zampirri (2ct), Tatum Donohue (1gb), and Meghan Holmes (1ct).
The Magic lost both games this year to Villa Maria – which went undefeated in the Catholic Academies regular season and is No. 2 in the state in the PA State Lacrosse Rankings. But the Magic defense was unyielding in the second half when it held the Hurricanes to three goals.
“Villa is a fast-moving team and we were able to take them out of their comfort zone and set the pace of the game,” Shields said. “Lastly, we played with momentum for two consistent halves and I’m so proud of every girl on the team for maintaining that.”
For Villa Maria, Kaelyn Wolfe collected three goals, five groundballs, four draw controls, two interceptions and two caused turnovers and Sophia Tray had two goals, three groundballs and an interception while Allie Meyer had a goal, five draws three groundballs, an interception and a caused turnover.
The Mount is one win away from reaching states for a third straight year. Shields believes her team is peaking.
“We are a very close group on and off the field, and when we want something, the possibilities are endless,” said Shields. “As a team, we have made history for Mount Lacrosse in 2021 and 2022 (state playoff berths in both years).
“For the seniors on our team, that was most definitely the biggest win of our time playing for Mount lacrosse. It was so hard conceding the AACA title to them this year after tying for league champs in 2021 and 2022 with Villa. We knew all along we could pull off a win despite them being a very talented team that we all respect.
“They had a great season. It’s undeniable. But, we are happy that we got the win when it mattered most. “Now, we are going to do it again. All I can say is that I know we’re just getting started. If we keep this confidence and energy, districts and states will be very interesting.
District 1 2A quarterfinals
Mount St. Joseph 10, Villa Maria Academy 8
Mount 5-5-10
Villa 5-3-8
VMA
Maggie Traynor 1g, 3gb, 1int
Elle Toto 1g 1a 1gb
Alex Nash 1a 1int
Sophia Tray 2g 3gb 1int
Brynna Hill 1a 2gb 1ct 1dc
Allie Meyer 1g 3gb 1int 1ct 5dc
Kaelyn Wolfe 3g 5gb 2int 2ct 4dc
Mackenzie Liberatore 2gb 2ct
L. Greene 1gb 1int 1ct
Kaleigh Touey 2gb 2int
Quinn Hechler 4 saves
Mount
Kiersten Pumila 1dc, 1gb
Kate Donovan 1dc, 3g, 1gb, 2cto
Maggie Rezza 4dc, 1g, 1a, 1cto
Amelia Clair 3dc, 1g
Katie Westmoreland 2g, 2gb
Ava Rossi 1g, 2a, 2gb, 1cto
Devin Loome 2a
Morgan Smith 1g
Tatum Donohue 1gb
Meghan Holmes 1cto
Kat Zampirri 2cto
Gabby Clair 1g, 1gb
Quinn Shields 1gb
Annie Shields 1gb, 11 saves
