MBAP Varsity Lacrosse Team - photo Joanne Dolan
Drexel Hill, PA- It’s been 333 days, 7,992 hours, 479,520 minutes and 28,771,200 seconds since the Monsignor Bonner and Archbishop Prendergast girls’ lacrosse team left the field in last season’s Philadelphia Catholic League Semifinal loss against Archbishop Carroll…. but who’s counting….
Even though it was a tough loss (22-1), for then, first year Bonner-Prendie head coach Amanda McCloskey (Mattera), it was the start of building a winning foundation.
McCloskey, who played lacrosse at Millersville and West Chester University, began her coaching career as assistant coach for her alma mater Cardinal O’Hara and then for Downingtown West, before coming to the Pandas.
“I saw Bonner-Prendie as an opportunity to make a school great and known for lacrosse. The culture is great, the girls are great, parents are supportive and our athletic department is incredible,” said McCloskey,
“We want to be a team that competes with the best, and becomes a top contender in the PCL and SE PA.”
Let’s just say her plan is off to a pretty good start.
The Pandas, who lost 10 seniors last year to graduation and ended their season with a 5-5 league record, are currently undefeated and on a 4-0 winning streak. Quite impressive, for a team that according to McCloskey, for many of its members in the PCL, have never even picked up a stick until their freshman year.
“This year, our goals are to win, one-by-one. Each day is a new mission,” said McCloskey.
So far, her squad has stepped up to the challenge beating Archbishop Wood (15-13) for the first time in years. Then winning against Hallahan, Ryan and Little Flower consecutively.
MBAP's Girls' Lacrosse rally before game vs. Little Flower -photo Deacon John Rodgers
According to McCloskey, her philosophy is simple- to create an atmosphere where girls want to be.
‘I want to help these girls to make commitments, find something they love and earn college scholarships for something they love,” said McCloskey,
A mantra that is filtering through to her team.
For senior standout center midfielder Riley Dolan, a Delaware University commit (field hockey), making it to the semifinals last season was a first for everyone on the team. It was a feeling that she along with her teammates will never forget.
MBAP senior co-captain Riley Dolan controls the draw vs. Little Flower -photo Deacon John Rodgers
“Reaching the semifinals last year allows us to draw on those experiences and allows us to know what to expect from certain teams, as well as ourselves. We know the effort level that is required to stretch the season as long as possible and have a chance for “just one more” game," said the team’s co-captain.
The Panda’s attack squad is led by senior co-captains Paige Brady, Saint Francis University commit and Keeley Weis. Both Brady and Weiss just scored their 100 milestone goals within the same minute in last Wednesday’s 22-3 home game victory against Hallahan.
“Brady and Weiss are both stellar ball handlers and scorers. We also have junior Carly Brocious who is a sneaky strong attacker and senior Haley Dryer. Co-Captain Riley Dolan controls our midfield and is an animal out on the field. Usually you will see 28 (Dolan) wherever the play is,” said McCloskey.
Dolan’s strong sense of navigating the field and keen awareness of her opponents’ limitations along with McCloskey’s strong senior leadership seem to be the driving force to her game plan.
MBAP senior co-captains Keeley Weiss & Paige Brady with coach Amanda McCloskey after scoring their 100th goal -photo MBAP
MBAP senior center Riley Dolan receives pass from junior goalie Catriona Corrigan -photo Deacon John Rodgers
“Our strengths start with ball control and end with execution. From the face-off to winding the ball into the offensive zone, we are comfortable with our speed, our positioning and offensive ball movement. We are also extremely confident in our defensive strategies, which allow us to shut down our opponents and continue to feed the ball to that weakness until they make adjustments. Our senior leadership tends to notice these adjustments and communicates them to the coaching staff as well as the rest of the team,” said Dolan.
Dolan is joined by a triple threat freshmen group, Lindsey Fagan, Meryn Steinrock and Rachel Doubet.
According to McCloskey, this year is also a rebuilding year for her defensive line. Led by seniors Caroline Goggin, Kristin Doogan and Lauren Rockenbach, they will be sharing their skills and experience with junior Neve Spellman and sophomore Brennagh Shields.
“These girls are picking up defense quickly and I’m excited to see where they go. In goal, we have Catriona Corrigan. This is her second year as goalie and has improved greatly,” said McCloskey.
MBAP junior Carly Broscious, freshman Meryn Steinrock and senior Riley Dolan set up the attack vs. Little Flower -photo Deacon John Rodgers
The Pandas have many more challenging games ahead, including ones against PCL defending Champion Archbishop Carroll on April 25 and Lansdale Catholic on April 27. But win or lose, it’s safe to say the Pandas are a team to definitely keep your eyes on, as they face each match as “a new mission”.
“I would love to finish the regular season as a top 2 seed in the PCL and then for my team to continue on to States. Most importantly, I would like my team and I to finish the season with a sense that we couldn’t have given anymore than we did,” said Dolan.
A sentiment proving McCloskey’s goals are already coming to fruition.
Bonner-Prendie will have a home game today at 3:45 pm. against Conwell-Egan.
MBAP pose for team picture after Brady's & Weiss's 100 milestone goals and win against Hallahan - photo courtesy MBAP