The Villa Maria Hurricanes blew into Emmaus last night to take on the Saucon Valley Panthers. Villa Maria took very little time to demonstrate the power of District I lacrosse. The Hurricanes quickly jumped out to a 3-0 lead only four minutes into the PIAA AA State playoff game. The Lady Panthers courageously battled back at the 20:05 mark when Saucon senior Madison Stump went crease-roll to make it 3-1. Then, at 17:12 Helen Kreschollek took a sweet pass from Stump and finished to make it 3-2. Just when the scent of optimism began to tickle the Panther faithful, Villa Maria exploded for nine consecutive goals creating a 12-2 halftime deficit for the Panthers with the mercy-rule in effect.
The Hurricanes picked up where they left off in the second half and continued by hitting another six goals to make it fifteen unanswered scores. With 11:29 remaining in the game the Hurricanes led 18-2. Madison Stump in her quest to become the Panthers all-time leading scorer hit at 8:37 and then again at 7:05. “Mad-Dog’s” second and final goal of her high school career tied Bridget O’Donnell’s 151. O’Donnell, a Public Health major and 2015 Saucon Valley graduate, just completed her sophomore year as a student-athlete playing lacrosse at Franklin and Marshall.
The Panthers tried desperately to feed Stump for one more goal, but Villa Maria was just that good and did not give in. The Hurricanes added on two late goals and the game ended with the Hurricanes defeating the Panthers 20-4.
For the record both Easton and Parkland of District XI lost to District I opponents yesterday as well. Easton (DXI, #2 seed) lost 20-8 to Owen J. Roberts (D1, #3 seed) and Parkland (DXI, #1 seed) lost 15-10 to Garnet Valley (DI, #4 seed). According to lehighvalleylive.com District XI is 0-11 in the PIAA playoffs against District I in girls lacrosse. District XI girls lacrosse has never won a PIAA state playoff game.
Sooner or later the District I dominance will come to an end.
Panther PIAA Lacrosse Panorama
Great job Panthers, the Source was with you!