Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 3/22/17
This is one of a series of previews for the 2017 Philly lacrosse season
Agnes Irwin
League: Inter-Ac League
Coach: Jen Duckenfield (5th season, also coached at Stath Haven, Mount St. Joseph)
Last year’s record: 19-6, Inter-Ac League Champions, PA Private Schools finalist
Key Players:
Players on Inside Lacrosse watch list:
· Senior Lila Barker 2017 attacker (UVA): Returning US Lacrosse All American, 193 career goals and 63 assists
· Senior Hailey Andress 2017 goal keeper (Cornell) 287 career saves; missed half 2016 season due to injury
· Junior Maria Pansini 2018 midfield (Princeton) 112 career ground balls and lead face guard (4 Year Starter as 8th grader)
Seniors: Alicia O’Neil (Cornell), Dani Wright attack (ASU), Olivia Carey attack (Davidson), Emmie Kiely (Brown) Camryn Walsh (Woffard)
Juniors: Camilla Gowen, Ellie Kirkpatrick (Vanderbilt) Meredith Murphy (Bucknell) Alex Hark (Boston University)
Annie Hepburn (West Point) , Sydney Wolfington (Penn State) Kate Chernitsky, Heni Danson
Sophomores: Emily Wills (Loyola), Grace Bartosh (Harvard), CC Senyk ( Colgate), Emily Coyne (University of Penn)
Lauren Avery (Syracuse) Lauren Radar (Michigan)
Freshmen: Natalie Pansini, Kacey Hogarth, Caitlyn Regan, Julia Carey
Coaches Outlook for 2017: “After a 2016 which was upended by injury (19-6, #1 PA East, #29 National LaxPower), the resilient Owls are optimistic about the 2017 season. Despite the loss to graduation of the six four year starters that led the rise of the program to regional and national prominence, Agnes Irwin is ready to defend its three straight Inter-Ac championships and challenge for its second PAISAA title in three years. Irwin’s out of conference schedule again features some of the perennial top teams in the country, including Good Counsel, Bishop Ireton, Saint Stephen and Saint Agnes, Moorestown, and Vero Beach. In addition, the Owls will also face 2016 NJ state runner up, Ridgewood, and Notre Dame Academy (MA). Our goal is to compete for a fourth consecutive Inter-Ac championship and continue to play an extremely difficult out of season schedule.”
The Episcopal Academy
League: Inter-Ac League
Head Coach: Josie Ferri Tomaino, 4th season (61-13)
Last year’s record: 23-5 (overall), 10-2 Inter-Ac, Pennsylvania Independent School Athletic Association Champions
Lost to Graduation: Julia Hondros (Brown), Sydney Gagnon (Virginia Tech), Claudia Becker (Davidson), Meghan Manley (Wesleyan), Grace Norley (F&M), Lauren Brenner (Washington College), Colby Gallagher, Darby O’Grady, Bradlie Morgan
Key returnees: senior attackers Taylor Lucey (VCU), Sarah Keffer and Rachel Yackel (William Smith); junior attackers Katie Crager (Georgetown), Olivia Cunningham (Lafayette) and Ally Marino (F&M); junior midfielder Olivia Tuma (Cornell); junior defenders Phoebe Christos (Villanova), Bridget Boyle (Drexel) and Lauren Rodio; sophomore midfielder Olivia Dirks (Penn State) and sophomore defenders Izzy Rohr (Penn) and Lindsay Walling (W&M)
Players to Watch: freshmen midfielders Devon Whitaker (UVA), Jayne Morley, Ali McHugh, Caroline Burt
Coach’s Outlook for 2017: “At Episcopal, our girls are proud to carry on a very rich tradition of lacrosse success. While this team may be filled with young talent, there is an appreciation for the legacy they are stepping into. I’m excited to make the journey with this year’s seniors, Taylor Lucey, Sarah Keffer and Rachel Yackel Our 2017 season motto is “OUR WAY” – we can’t wait to demonstrate what that slogan means to our program both on and off the field this season!
“As the season begins Episcopal is ranked by US Lacrosse/Nike #16 in the country, #8 in the Mid-Atlantic.
“2017 Schedule includes competitive non-league match-ups with Holton Arms (MD), Bel Air (MD), Notre Dame Prep (MD), Georgetown Visitation (DC), St Stephen’s St Agnes (VA), St. Ignatius Prep (CA), Victor (NY), Abington (PA) and Radnor (PA).”