Archbishop Carroll has won five consecutive Catholic League girls lacrosse playoff championships.
Coach Lorraine Beers has had a few obstacles put in her team’s path to a sixth straight title. Last year’s defensive leaders, Jess Brophy and goalie Monica Johnson, graduated in June. Two defenders who started the Catholic League final as freshmen, Annie Brophy and Gabby Capuzzi, are recovering from torn knee ligaments.
"We will miss them on our defense," Beers said. "We have some big shoes to fill."
The Patriots, who play a very challenging nonleague schedule and this year will take part in the Katie Samson Tournament at Radnor, have some talented goal scorers returning, led by captains Jackie DePetris (Syracuse), who scored 44 goals last spring before an injury put her on the sidelines just before the playoffs began, Meg Brennan (Monmoth), who had 34 goals, and Kelly Bosco (Monmouth), who got 28 goals as a junior.
Junior Cara Filippelli scored 56 goals last year but missed the championship game after being injured in the semifinal round.
Other returning starters include senior defender Vanessa Coll and junior midfield defenders Christine Readinger and Alura Costa.
Junior Mary Beth Brophy, a starter as a freshman who missed last season while recovering from knee surgery, and junior midfielders Erin McDevitt and Ashlee O’Hara also have varsity experience.
Among the newcomers are sophomores Olivia Salata (attack), Laura Beck (midfield) and Tara Mitchell (midfield).
At Cardinal O’Hara, senior Caley Burke is the leading defender returning and goalie Aimee Ralph played well in the Catholic League playoffs last spring.
Seniors Melissa Paterson and Genna Micek and junior Katie George were among the team’s top scorers in 2005, when the Lions advanced to the semifinal round of the Catholic League playoffs.
At Archbishop Prendergast, junior Bridget O’Brien, who was the Pandas’ scoring leader last spring, returns on attack along with senior Kaitlyn McPhillips.
Inter-Ac League
At Agnes Irwin, coach Amy Orcutt returns two of the scoring leaders from the team that had a 5-2 league record last spring. Senior Alison Heffernan, who was named to the All-Delco team, scored 47 goals and had 14 assists in 2005 and senior Kate Beers, whose mother is head coach at Archbishop Carroll, got 30 goals and 15 assists.
Senior Sary Kinosian, who averaged 12 saves per game last season, returns in goal. Other returning starters include senior midfield defender Tori Johnston and junior midfield Lexie Barker.
Junior defenders Bridget Connolly and Veenie Mahmoud also have varsity experience.
Top newcomers include sophomores Mary Cannon (midfield), Kathryl Sall (attack) and Lexie Kelly (defense).
At The Academy of Notre Dame, Tammy Brogan, an assistant for 10 years, begins her first season as head coach.
Irish captains Mariana Uribe (33 goals last season) and Allie Talucci will be leaders in the midfield. Both will play next spring at Drexel University.
Senior Caitlin Watson and junior Kelsey Muir will be the team’s defensive leaders and junior Melissa Lattif (30 goals) is a key returnee on attack.
Courtney Mullen and Erin Putsch also have experience in the midfield.
Top newcomers include freshman Kelly McCallion (midfield), sophomore Cia Williams (attack) and junior Kate Palmarella (midfield).
"We feel we can surprise some people this year," Brogan said.
Catholic Academies League
At Sacred Heart, Joe Coyle sees good things in his second Lions team.
"We’ll be much improved over last season (6-11)," Coyle said. "We have some strong senior leaders and our junior class has plenty of talent."
Seniors Gina Russino (attack) and Alex Lamparski (defense) and juniors Catherine Hayden (attack) and Caroline Carlin (center) are the top returning starters.
The top newcomers will be senior Emily Roth (defense) and junior Molly Fitzpatrick (attack).
Southern Chester
County League
At Garnet Valley, coach Debbie Knox has several juniors who are three-year starters to build her team around.
Junior wing Adrienne Shaw scored 66 goals in 19 games last spring and junior Jenna Boyd chipped in with 44 goals.
Other returning starters include seniors Kathleen Funsten (attack) and Kayla Flynn (midfield) and juniors Courtney Martin (defense), Michelle Inverso (defense), Melissa Montella (attack) and Rachel Wesolowski (attack).
Junior defenders Jen Homka and Mary Panko also have varsity experience.
Among the top newcomers are juniors Emily Mulhern (defense), Krista Owsley (attack), Jacqui German (attack) and sophomore Leah Dixon (center).
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