Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 8/25/25 – From Press Release
Cardinal O’Hara High School Principal Eileen Murphy has announced the hiring of David Schlesinger as Head Girls’ Lacrosse Coach. Coach Schlesinger’s predecessor, Jennifer Armstrong, will stay with the team as an Assistant Coach and Defensive Coordinator.
Schlesinger – the Phillylacrosse.com Coach of the Year in 2023 when he led Owen J. Roberts to the PIAA championship – spent the 2025 lacrosse season as the Head Coach at Bonner-Prendergast. He led the Pandas to a 9-6 record and a spot in the PCL playoffs. Schlesinger brings a career high school record of 194-80 to Cardinal O’Hara.
Schlesinger, a Harriton alum, also was named Coach of the Year by PASLA and USA Lacrosse in 2021. He led his NXT LC 2023 Black team to the #1 ranking in the nation at the conclusion of their club careers in September 2022.
“I want to thank Coach Jen for her 3 years as the Head Coach of our program and I am happy the girls will benefit from her as an assistant,” said Athletic Director Chrissie Doogan. “David’s vision for the program, commitment to student-athlete development, and energy makes him a great fit for our school and our community. It is an exciting time for O’Hara Girls Lacrosse.”
Schlesinger also wished to thank Armstrong for helping build the program and for agreeing to move to the role as top assistant.
Schlesinger’s Wildcats defeated Penncrest, 17-9, in the 2023 Class 3A final at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium to cap a 27-1 campaign that included a Pioneer Athletic Conference title and a District 1 crown. His mark in four seasons and five years (no games were played in 2020 due to the pandemic) was 90-12 at OJR. His teams reached states all four times and won three PAC championships.
In 2024, Schlesinger served as an assistant coach at Ursinus College’s women’s team. He has also been a head coach at Central Bucks East and Wissahickon, and South Jersey’s Eastern Regional and Princeton High.
