10-member senior class ‘helped grow the culture’ for North Allegheny girls lacrosse

By: John Grupp
Saturday, May 24, 2025 | 11:01 AM

North Allegheny senior Avery Anderson felt no regrets about the Tigers’ humbling four-win girls lacrosse season.

“Just because we were losing, that didn’t mean we stopped liking each other or fighting for what we wanted,” she said. “And when we did win, the celebrations were great.”

The victories were elusive. North Allegheny finished 4-13, the program’s worst record in nearly a decade (3-12 in 2016). The No. 11-seeded Tigers lost to No. 6 Peters Township, 15-9, in the WPIAL Class 3A playoffs May 13 for their first one-and-done postseason exit since ‘18.

However, third-year coach Courtney Killian is grateful to a 10-player senior class that she said helped change the atmosphere around the program.

“They are just an amazing group of leaders,” Killian said. “They have helped grow the culture of the team into a positive culture from what it was when I got here three years ago. It’s because of the seniors.

“We may not have had a winning season, but we had a positive culture and environment, and the girls really bonded and became closer this year.”

Despite the Tigers’ poor record — NA went 1-9 down the stretch — the practices remained spirited and there was no squabbling or finger-pointing.

Anderson, a four-year starter who finished with 87 career goals, joined midfielder Viola DelVecchio and defender Tessa McDowell as co-captains.

“We realized we really wanted to come together this year and make the environment fun for the younger girls,” said Anderson, who will play next year at Grove City. “Every single senior that played this year loved lacrosse. I think that’s what changed the culture. It’s not about stats or personal benefit. It’s about our benefit as a group, and I think our senior class really reflected that. I’m just so proud of everything we’ve done.”

The Class of 2025 also included defenders Jamie Harlan, Eryn Kelly, Gannon-bound Maddy Lemmon and Riona Redshaw (Edinboro) and reserve attacks Hannah Cherry and Maya Scott. Another senior attack, Sara Donaldson, missed the season with a concussion, but stayed involved as a team manager.

The Tigers combined exciting victories over Shaler, Seneca Valley, North Hills and Allderdice with rewarding team-bonding activities. Those included a traditional get-together at Blueberry Hill Park after the final regular-season practice to play kickball and lacrosse baseball, a hybrid, highly competitive sport among the girls. They ate pizza and drank Capri Sun juice pouches.

“It’s just like being a kid again,” Anderson said.

The Tigers will return three juniors, led by 40-goal scorer Reagan Riordan, and welcome an influx of talent from a junior varsity team that had “a tremendous season,” Killian said.

But the senior class will be dearly missed. Their tight bond was evidenced during a 15-3 victory over Allderdice on April 9, when Kelly, a longtime defender, scored her first — and only — varsity goal.

“Eryn has been wanting to score for years,” Anderson said with a laugh. “She’s such an ambitious player, and she’s feisty, too. She’s a great defender. I was the one who passed the ball to her to score. I remember seeing Eryn, and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, Eryn!’ Because Eryn’s not usually down on attack with us. She shot that ball. We all got together and we were all dog-piling each other. We watched the replay on the screen. We were so excited for her, and the sidelines were going crazy.”

Tags: North Allegheny