Girls Lacrosse Preview

Two defending champions and two private school squads are among the teams vying for girls lacrosse championships this year.

Severna Park

After losing a heartbreaking state title game, 11-10 to Marriotts Ridge in 2022, the Falcons rebounded in Annie Houghton’s first year as the varsity head coach in 2023. The girls finished a stellar season by beating Towson 12-8 to win the Class 3A championship.

The 2023 Falcons were led offensively by Alyssa Chung, who scored a staggering 75 goals to set a school record. She also had 16 assists, 12 caused turnovers and 64 draw controls. While she will return for Severna Park this year, the team will miss the play of Charlotte Diez, who set the school record for assists.

Severna Park graduated five starters in addition to Diez, but Houghton feels her team is in a good position to defend their title.

“When you graduate players, and every team goes through this, it is hard when you lose those players,” she said. “We have given (incoming players more opportunities) in games, situationally and in practices, so everyone feels comfortable with the depth of our bench.”

Attacker Sara Kreis, midfielder Maria Bragg and goalie Allison Schiavone are all talented players who helped the Falcons win their title last year. So was Bella Van Gieson, who Houghton said “should be an impact player this year.”

Houghton plans to rotate some starters including Erin Hussey and Francesca Dunoyer in the midfield. The coach also expects big things from Lizzy Thompson and defender Avery Saviano.

“Defensively, Avery is definitely a big contributor,” Houghton said. “She is super fast and reads the ball fast, doubling and sliding.”

Kate Griner and Kate Evans will aid the Falcons’ attack.

As for the regular season schedule, Severna Park will play teams with plenty of recent success. Those schools include South River, Archbishop Spalding, Dulaney, Marriotts Ridge, Mount de Sales, Glenelg and, of course, Broadneck.

Houghton is not fazed by the pressure of defending a championship, and she looks forward to seeing fans cheer on the Falcons again this year.

“We don’t take for granted how awesome it is to be part of a community that supports lacrosse,” she said.

Broadneck

Under head coach Katy Kelley, the Bruins have been nothing short of dominant over the last three years, seizing three consecutive state titles in Class 4A, the most recent coming in a 9-8 win over Dulaney at Stevenson University last May. But the team will face a new challenge this year, as most of the team’s elite core has graduated.

Midfielders Lexi Dupcak, Lilly Kelley and Mary Moore all expect to log playing time for college teams this spring.

The Bruins will lean on seniors Olivia Orso and Lily Trout to lead their attack, while Megan Shields returns in cage. Kelley said her team will be tough and aggressive again this year.

“Lily Trout's athleticism and leadership — alongside younger players filled with skill, grit and purpose in their play — will help the midfield continue right where it left off,” Kelley said. “Olivia Orso will lead the attacking end with her focused and strong offensive play. She is a player who will grow and develop the younger talent around her. Susanna Moore will anchor an athletic and competitive defense filled with new faces (and) an end filled with speed, heart and confidence.”

Kelley sees plenty of opportunities for the seasoned players and newcomers to make their mark.

“Each year the Broadneck lacrosse team strives to build off of prior leadership, sound fundamentals and a culture built around selfless team play,” she said. “This is our intention for the 2024 season.”

Archbishop Spalding

Tara Shea’s Archbishop Spalding team went 12-5 last season and lost in the IAAM quarterfinals, 7-6, to Glenelg Country School. Although they graduated midfielder Ally Keith and goalkeeper Colleen Berardino, among other contributors, the team is bringing back a formidable core. That group includes former All-County midfielders Gabrielle Greene and Lily Mullen, along with seniors Maddie Wrenn (defense/midfielder) and Claire McGuire (defense/midfielder), and junior midfielder Maeve Cavanaugh.

Severn School

Severn School opened the season with a 12-0 shutout over Park School on March 7. For the 2024 season, Kathy Rudkin has returned as head coach to lead a squad that finished 5-11 in 2023. The Admirals hope to string together a winning season with the help of seniors Isabelle Leech (attack), Giselle Torain (midfielder) and Dylan Ulehla (defender), junior Bronwyn Bolton (midfielder), and other key players.