Senior Madison Stump and the rest of the Panthers had very little room to operate against the Villa Maria Hurricanes.
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.
Junior Helen Kreschollek was able to get one to the net.
Kreschollek celebrates with “Mad-Dog” and her other Panther teammates.
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.
2015 Saucon Valley graduate and career leading lacrosse goal scorer Bridget O’Donnell now has good company at 151.
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
In what has become Saucon Valley tradition, the Panthers are quietly led out of town to the PIAA state tournament.
The Saucon Valley girls lacrosse team taking in the sights and sounds of their special sendoff.
North on 412, east on 78 to Emmaus to take on Villa Maria.
SV freshman Camryn Zavacky takes the open draw for the Panthers.
Camryn Zavacky trying to get through the tough Hurricane defense.
Panther sophomore “Battle-Kat” Naiburg wins the 50-50 a ground-ball.
Sophomore Brooke Riefenstahl gets possession for the Panthers.
Getting possession was hard enough, scoring was even more difficult against Villa Maria.
Sophomore Kimmy Polefka leading a breakout toward Hurricane territory.
The Hurricane wall was tough to penetrate.
Sophomore Siobhan Coakley trying to get the Panthers on the scoreboard.
Senior Madison Stump was very close to passing Bridgette O’Donnell’s SV career goals scored record.
Great job Panthers, the Source was with you!
