First Time State Champs for Girls’ Lax

For 17 years, Carroll girls’ lacrosse (under Coach Lorraine Beers) has dominated the Catholic league and won unprecedented league titles for 17 consecutive years. Now the team has one more prestigious title: PIAA 3A state Champions. The girls’ lacrosse team won a thrilling 9-8 battle against Springfield High School on June 10, 2017.

The Patriots had possession of the ball with three minutes and ten seconds left and with senior Sam Swart controlling the ball, when suddenly Springfield took possession and took a shot with 28 seconds remaining. Patriot fans, which included many previous players from the past two decades, were all holding their breaths when goalie Maddie Ferraioli made an amazing save and avoided a tie. Springfield tried one more desperation play with three seconds left that was thwarted by junior Katie Detweiler – and Carroll history was made.

Carroll had held a 5-2 lead at the half. The Patriots offense was evenly distributed. Swart, who had scored a phenomenal nine goals in the semifinal game, was double-teamed the entire game. Amber Gaermer first put the Patriots on the board four minutes into the game. Rachel Matey added the next goal before the Cougars tied it up. Then Carroll scored three unanswered goals by Katie Detweiler, Sam Swart and Grace Gallagher.

The Cougars came out swinging in the second half scoring three consecutive goals in two minutes, tying it up at five. Then Detweiler notched her second goal; however, within two minutes, Springfield tied it up, and proceeded to take the lead, at 7-6. Sydney D’Orsogna scored to knot the score. The Patriots went ahead on a goal from Sam Swart when she cut in front of the net on sophomore Madison Henry’s assist from the behind the net. Four minutes later the Henry – Swart combination sparked again to give the Patriots an insurance goal at 9-7. The Cougars were relentless, and they soon added another goal to make the score 9-8. The Patriots maintained their poise, controlling the ball to limit Springfield’s chances to score again. Who played defense? Carroll dominated in draw controls 12-7, with Matey and Detweiler coming up big.

At the end of the game, Coach Lorraine Beers (who had been named the Pennsylvania Area Schoolgirls Lacrosse Association Coach of the Year) stood at the sideline looking unfazed, as if she expected nothing less from her girls.

Deirdre Mitchell