By Harry Chaykun
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 5/22/17
Sam Swart has played more than a few games at Neumann University.
The Archbishop Carroll senior has suffered through her share of defeats at Neumann in Patriots’ losses in the Catholic League field hockey playoffs as well as PIAA lacrosse tournament games.
Archbishop Carroll wins its 17th straight Catholic League title
“I’ve made that walk (behind the goal cage) crying too many times,” Swart said. “I’m not making that walk again this year.”
Swart took the first step toward making that goal come true Monday night when she tossed in four goals to help top-seeded Carroll overwhelm No. 2 Cardinal O’Hara, 20-3, in the Catholic League playoff final.
The championship was the Patriots’ 17th in a row under 18-year head coach Lorraine Beers, whose teams have won 216 consecutive starts against Catholic League opponents since bowing to St. Hubert in the 2000 title match.
“It always means something to be able to keep the streak alive,” said Swart, who will play at Syracuse next year. “Especially since this is my senior year. There are five of us who are seniors, and it’s special for us since we’ve been together through all of this.”
Carroll (19-1), tied with Moorestown as the No. 1 teams in the Phillylacrosse.com Rankings, will play the top Public League AAA team Tuesday in the District 12 championship at Northeast High (3 p.m.). A win moves the Pats into the PIAA tourney.
Michelle McCarthy, Erin Grady, and Anna Dirira scored for O’Hara, which will play Tuesday at Northeast (5:00) in the Class AA final with a state berth at stake.
Swart scored all of her goals in a little more than 10 minutes of playing time in the first half. She and her teammates watched the reserves play most of the second half until Beers gave them the chance to be on the field for the closing minutes of the game.
“Anna (Murphy), Fiona (Casey) and I are the captains,” Swart said. “Anna and I started playing years ago for (Beers’ club team) Phantastix. We’ve been hoping all along that this would be our year.
“We’ve worked hard to make this happen. But the biggest thing would be to win it for (Coach Beers).”
Katie Dewiler opened the scoring 21 seconds into the game with the first of her three goals. Before the match was two minutes old, Sydney D’Orsogna and Swart had given Carroll a 3-0 lead.
Michelle McCarthy stopped the Pats’ run of eight goals with the only O’Hara score in the first half. Grace Gallagher chipped in with two goals to help the Patriots (18-1) to a 14-1 advantage by halftime.
Carroll got goals from six different players after the break and had those on the field work for each shot.
If the Pats advance Tuesday, they will play their PIAA Class AAA opener at Neumann Tuesday May 30 against the fifth-place team from District 1.
“We’ll keep working and try to stay competitive,” Swart said. “We want to make sure we keep playing and keep practicing. I really love being out on the field with these girls and want our season to last as long as possible.”
Archbishop Carroll 20, Cardinal O’Hara 3
Cardinal O’Hara 1 2 – 3
Archbishop Carroll 14 6 – 20
Cardinal O’Hara: Michelle McCarthy 1G, Erin Grady 1G, Anna Dirira 1G, Jackie McPeak 1A. Jackie DiPetrosion 9 saves.
Archbishop Carroll: Sam Swart 4G, Katie Detwiler 3G, Grace Gallagher 2G, Sydney D’Orsogna 1G 1A, Madison Henry 1G 1A, Alex Cabahug-Almonte 1G 1A, Rose Kokol 1G 1A, Anna Murphy 1G, Jess Sulouff 1G, Katie LaBella 1G, Julia Downs 1G, Amber Germer 1G, Sabrina Narda 1G, Abby Reihman 1G. Maddie Ferraioli 2 saves, Julia Dellarata 1 save.