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GIRLS' LAX: Archbishop Carroll Continues Legacy of Success Winning 19th Consecutive Catholic League Championship

By Angelise Stuhl, 05/23/19, 5:15PM EDT

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Carroll prepares to ride their championship momentum into the state tournament.

By: Angelise Stuhl

ASTON, PA – As the saying goes, “Teamwork makes the dream work.” This phrase could not be more true to describe the continued success of Archbishop Carroll’s girls’ lacrosse team. 

On Monday evening at Neumann University, Archbishop Carroll won its 19th consecutive Philadelphia Catholic League title after defeating Cardinal O’Hara 20-6. The victory also marked the team’s 240th straight victory against a Catholic League opponent. 

“I’m just so happy and I think that we put in a lot of hard work. It just feels good to win it (the PCL Championship) again and again,” said junior Kellie Ann Matey, who contributed four goals in Carroll’s victory.

What is even more remarkable is the legacy that Carroll has built in becoming the PCL’s most dominant sports program for almost two decades. The members that compile Carroll’s 2019 championship team were not even born when the Lady Patriot’s hoisted its first PCL trophy.

Archbishop Carroll's senior class describe what it takes to win 19 straight titles & leave advice for their returning teammates:

2019 PCL Championship Highlights & Plaque Presentation:

 When asked collectively as a group to describe what they think has contributed to their team’s lasting success, Carroll’s senior class shouted words such as “Teamwork,” “Hard work,” “Competitive practices,” and “Friendship.” Mix all of that together and it’s a sound recipe for success. 

“Personally, it’s so special because it’s our senior year, we have really worked hard and it was awesome especially at the end being out there, playing with all of the seniors, after all of the hard work that we all put in all four years. We finally did it and it was amazing,” said senior and George Washington University commit Amber Germer, who scored three goals in the championship. 

While Cardinal O’Hara’s Riley McGowen was the first to find the goal to give the Lion’s a 1-0 lead in the opening two minutes, Carroll’s offense buckled down. The Patriots held a substantial 11-4 lead at the half off goals from freshman Kiley Mottice (3), senior Alex Cabahug-Almonte (2), Matey (2), Germer (2), senior Grace Ewing (1) and sophomore Karli Dougherty (1). O'Hara sophomore Rachel Familetti, McGowan (2) and freshman Mia Scarduzio added in the Lions' three additional first half goals. 

Senior Amber Germer talks about Carroll's game plan & keys to success to come away with their 19th straight victory:

Despite losing a big senior class, Kellie Ann Matey looks to keep her team's intensity going next year:

Senior Alex Cabahug-Almonte talks about building a lasting legacy & leaves advice for her underclassmen teammates:

As a starting freshman, Kiley Mottice talks about what she has learned from her senior leaders:

The second half began with a little more back-and-forth action. Germer opened up scoring for the Patriots, which was followed by two quick goals from O’Hara’s Familetti and sophomore McKenzie Raech to make the score 12-6 with 21 minutes remaining in the game. Unfortunately for O’Hara, Familetti and Raech’s goals would be the last goals the Lions would score in the contest. Carroll senior Madison Henry led her team’s second half attack with three goals, followed by Matey and Almonte who each tallied two and Dougherty with one in route to a 20-6 championship victory. 

“This game we knew that we had to work together as a team and we knew that controlling the defense and momentum of the game and getting the draw would propel us on offense and that we would just continue to score if we won the draw,” said Mottice. 

Looking ahead, both Carroll and O’Hara advanced to represent the Philadelphia Catholic League in the PIAA state tournament, along with Bonner-Prendergast. Carroll advanced being the 2A District 12 No.1 seed representative and Prendie defeated Mastery Charter 25-2 to also enter the tournament. O’Hara won the District 12 3A title in a 18-6 rout of Northeast High School to move on to the PIAA 3A bracket. All three teams will play in the opening round of the state tournament on Tuesday, May 28. 

“We are just going to continue to practice our hardest and just be really hype for our upcoming games,” said Mottice. 

Carroll's team managers talk about what it takes to build a championship team & give advice to other managers around the league to take their jobs seriously:

(Carroll's managers: #43 Mary Finley, #33 Olivia Hoffman, #25 Annie Dvonch, #26 Katie Koroly & #29 Mia Bones)

Germer agreed with Mottice with additional senior wisdom on preparing for the upcoming state tournament.

“It’s one game at a time, nothing is guaranteed. If you lose, you’re out. So we really just have to focus and not worry about the future and not worry about who we could play, but who we are going to play. We have to prepare and play our hardest for every game,” said Germer.