By Anthony Caruso
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 5/12/18
MOORESTOWN, N.J. – Moorestown celebrated its 60-year anniversary of girls’ lacrosse in style Saturday as it honored its glorious past with a win it hopes will spark a big post-season run.
Kacey Knobloch celebrates her 100th career goal with her Moorestown teammates
The Quakers, ranked No. 1 by Phillylacrosse.com, toppled No. 6 Agnes Irwin, 10-5, as Kacey Knobloch had three goals and two assists and posted her 100th career goal to lead a balanced attack.
“I was impressed with the way our girls came out strong and they never let down for a second,” said Quakers head coach Deanna Knobloch. “We played a full 50 minutes today. Many times in the past, we have taken off a play or two and have gotten down, or didn’t play as hard as we could have when we were up, but it was a full 100% effort today.”
Moorestown’s storied program (it has won 21 state titles) was launched in 1958 and is one of the older girls’ programs in the nation. Deanna Knobloch (Class of 1987) herself played there and today Dr. Lynn Brown Schilling – who played on the first Moorestown girls lacrosse team and was the team’s head coach before Knobloch – was honored at halftime.
“I think it’s a really special day,” said Deanna Knobloch, whose record over 27 years is an amazing 550-44-4. “It’s great to have Dr. Lynn Schilling here today. She is the matriarch of the program. She was on that first team in 1958, and it was an honor that I had to be her player.
“She was my coach when I was in high school. She is someone that I have always admired and looked up to. To have her back here today, she gave a pre-game speech to the entire team. It was really powerful and really got these girls fired up to play.”
The Quakers have won eight straight games after losing two out of three in the middle of April. On Tuesday they dealt Haddonfield its first loss.
Moorestown will have several days off before its next game, in the NJSIAA South, Group 3 Tournament on Friday, vs. the winner of No. 8 Lacey and No. 9 Absegami on Tuesday. The Quakers also have prom on Friday, as well, which makes things tricky.
“I think this will be huge momentum for us,” Knobloch said. “We needed to play a good game from the first draw to the last whistle. We needed to have that confidence heading into the playoffs.”
Natalie Pansini
Knobloch’s daughter Kacey, a James Madison signee, credited her teammates for her accomplishment.
“I wouldn’t have gotten here today without my teammates,” she said. “My friends and I talked about how this was going to work and this was the best possible moment for it to happen.
:I love my mom being my coach. I wouldn’t have it any other way. This game is a lot more special to me than any other I’ve played.”
Cailin Field, Kayla Frank, and Robin Panzarella also scored two goals each. Ashley Nutt also scored a goal. Frank and Nutt also had an assist each.
The Owls had their three-game win streak snapped. They are tied with Episcopal Academy atop the Inter-Ac League with one game left and are expected to vie with EA for the PAISAA title once again.
Agnes Irwin’s Maria Pansini scored two goals for her team on her birthday. In addition, her sophomore sister, Natalie, scored her 100th career goal late in the contest. Emily Wills and Julianne Carey also scored for the Owls.
“I think this experience and being down a player for much of the game helps us come together, as a team,” Natalie Pansini said. “That kind of struggle could really bring us together and help us learn from this. It could also help us do better in the playoffs.”
Pansini was happy to share her honor with her sister.
“It’s really exciting for me, as I have been playing since I was in 8th grade,” Natalie Pansini said. “I have a year on some people. It’s great that I can do it with my team on my sister’s birthday. That makes it extra special for both of us.”
Both Moorestown goalie Logan Lillie and Agnes Irwin goalie Camilia Gowen had seven saves each.
Moorestown 10, Agnes Irwin 5
Moorestown 5-5-10
Agnes Irwin 3-2- 5
Moorestown
Cailin Field 2g
Kayla Frank 2g, 1a
Kacey Knobloch 3g, 2a0
Ashley Nutt 1g, 1a
Robin Panzarella 2g
Logan Lillie 7 saves
Agnes Irwin
Maria Pansini 2g
Natalie Pansini 1g
Emily Wills 1g
Julianne Carey 1g
Camilia Gowen 7 saves
The post No. 1 Moorestown topples Agnes Irwin, 10-5, in celebration of 60 years of lacrosse appeared first on PhillyLacrosse.com.