Libby Eannarino, Ashley Close return as team leaders for Sewickley Academy girls lacrosse

By: Ray Fisher
Sunday, April 7, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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Sewickley Academy’s girls lacrosse team should have an outstanding one-two punch this season in Libby Eannarino and Ashley Close, both senior midfielders and co-captains.

Both were lacrosse all-stars in Section 1-3A last year.

“We want to build on what we started last year and set the tone for the future,” Eannarino said. “We had a strong season last year and made it to the playoffs, but this year we want to expand on that and make it even further. We have a strong group of returning players and a talented class of freshmen, including my sister Emma, so throughout preseason, we’ve really worked on building team chemistry and picking up right where we left off last May.

“As a senior and a captain alongside Ashley, I’m really just looking to set high standards and expectations for the younger girls, passing the torch on in a sense, and I’m super excited to see just how far this team can go this season.”

A three-sport standout, Eannarino scored her 100th career goal April 13 against Peters Township.

“I’m so proud scoring my 100th goal while wearing a Sewickley jersey and representing the academy,” she said afterwards. “I couldn’t have done it without my teammates, coaches and the athletic support staff.”

Eannarino enrolled at Sewickley Academy at the start of the 2022-23 school year, transferring from Upper St. Clair, and participated in soccer, basketball and lacrosse.

“Libby has a very high lacrosse IQ,” said Ali Grenert, SA’s girls lacrosse coach. “She is extremely hard working and always looking to improve. Libby is a team player and leads by example. When she puts her mind to something, there is no stopping her.”

Eannarino was the leading scorer on the girls basketball team the past two years, averaging 20-plus points per game, and was a top offensive player in soccer.

She participated in field hockey in her first two years of high school.

“Some of my favorite (basketball) memories would probably have to be winning our last game of the season against Shenango at home with my teammates and finishing my career with 43 points in that game,” Eannarino said, “and winning the Carlynton tip-off tournament before our season started, and honestly just getting to play alongside my sister and close friends.

“We had such a tight-knit group of girls, and I really loved spending time with every one of my teammates. Whether we were celebrating our wins, laughing during practice, or chowing down during our pregame dinners, my teammates really made my basketball experience at Sewickley so special.”

Close said she wasn’t expecting to land any postseason accolades last season.

“I was actually really surprised,” she said, “but so grateful for it. And I was so surprised by how good we did. I think with the combination of our new players and our amazing coach, we were able to make huge strides. I love our coach and have confidence she will continue to (develop) our team.”

Close appreciates the potential of this year’s lacrosse team at Sewickley.

“We have a really great team with a super close-knit group of freshmen, juniors and seniors,” she said. “I expect us to do well. Our team is pretty small so basically everyone will be playing everything this year.

“Being in Triple-A is definitely tough, especially being tight on numbers, but I think our team has lots of potential and a chance to do really well.”

Close competed for the Sewickley girls tennis team in the fall as the No. 1 singles player. She ended the 2023 season Nov. 5 in Hershey as the Class 2A state runner-up.

The right-handed hitting tennis whiz also was the WPIAL 2A runner-up after winning the title in 2021. She was unable to participate in the WPIAL finals as a freshman because of an injury.

Close recently committed to attend Wake Forest — her “dream school” — where she will major in business and play club lacrosse.

“I consider Wake as my dream school mainly because of the feeling I had when I walked on the campus,” she said. “Wake is very beautiful, but it was also the people that I met that really convinced me I would fit right in. What made me fully convinced, however, was the great programs they offer and their top ranked business school.”

Other players on last year’s team back in 2024 include seniors Claudia Kronk (D), Kendall Sykes (MF) and Cait Donohue (ATT); plus juniors Jade Rychel (ATT/MF), Brooke Busatto (D) and Lauren Retzlaff (D).

Claudia Kronk rounds out the list of senior team members.

Senior team members in 2023 consisted of attack/midfielders Mary Grace Gordon and Elena Mohan; midfielder Sally Moravitz; defenders Isabella Capito, Alex Cordle and Rinnie Jardini; and goalkeeper Kaitlyn Hayden.

Sewickley clinched a WPIAL playoff berth last year by finishing with a 4-4 section record.

The Panthers have won six section titles in girls lacrosse in school history and have been MSLA champion four times.

Roig returns to QV lineup as WPIAL all-star

The Quaker Valley girls lacrosse team enjoyed a banner season in 2023.

After winning eight of its first nine games, QV landed a WPIAL playoff berth later in the year.

The senior-driven Quakers racked up seven straight victories — hitting double digits seven times — and finished with a 15-6 record. They placed third in the WPIAL and advanced to the state tournament, losing in the first round to state finalist Twin Valley.

“I have high expectations for this year’s team,” coach Laura Peery said. “I’m hoping to build off the momentum we gained last season and continue to build from there. We are a young team with a lot of talent.

“We have amazing youth coaches that have really been working hard to develop some of our talented underclassmen that I am confident will be ready to step up.”

Last year’s squad lost nine senior players to graduation: attackers Isabella Murano, Tia Pethel and Emma Smith; midfielders Kyra Gabriele and Shannon Von Kaenel; defenders Grace (Lizzie) Evans, Maria Helkowski and Hannah Lubert; and goalkeeper Abbey Rose.

One of the team leaders in 2024 is sophomore center midfielder Lucy Roig, who along with Von Kaenel was an All-WPIAL selection in Class 2A a year ago. Von Kaenel and Roig led the Quakers in scoring last season. Roig accounted for 87 goals and 77 draw controls.

“My expectations are high this year,” Roig said. “Although we have lost quite (a few) seniors, our team is still strong and ready to compete. Two expectations I have for our team are that we make it to playoffs and work hard no matter the circumstances.”

Other returning starters/letter winners include seniors Taylor Cupelli, Kendall Foster, a Chatham commit, Sydney Hewitt and sophomores Lily Millet and Mia Floro at attack.

Between them, they accounted for 25 goals and 24 assists last season.

“Taylor plays low attack,” Peery said. “She was out a lot of last season with injuries, but we see good things this year.”

Sophomore Alexa Westwood also is back at the midfield area. Westwood finished with 20 goals and 19 assists a year ago.

A WPIAL qualifier for the QV girls swim team, Westwood is looking forward to a winning season for the Quakers this spring.

“My expectations are to make playoffs and have a winning record in both section and nonsection games,” she said, “as well as improving throughout the season and working well as a group.

“I hope to reach 50 all-time assists and have a positive effect and lead the team both on and off the field.”

Another sophomore, Meredith Fallgren, has switched from defense to a midfield position.

“Meredith’s a solid defender who we moved to midfield this year,” Peery said

Juniors Lily Pulkowski, Ruby Krotine and Grace Wiehe will anchor the Quakers defense.

Krotine placed fifth in WPIAL Class 2A girls diving this past season and 10th in the state, her best finish in her third PIAA meet.

The starting goalkeeper for the Quakers is junior Emily Reiner, who made 181 saves and posted one shutout last season. Her goals-against average was 5.70 with a .571 save percentage.

“Emily is a really strong goalie with over 300 career saves,” Peery said.

Two juniors looking to make an impact in 2024 are Nora Hammond (D/M) and Anna Hanley (A).

Roig (first team), Reiner (second team) and Fallgren (honorable mention) were all-section selections in 2023. Roig was honored to be named All-WPIAL and grateful that her diligence was recognized.

“It was a great season for us because we made it all the way to states,” Roig said. “We worked very hard, and it paid off. We might take a little time to adjust (this season) due to the loss of our seniors, who had a major impact on our success. But in the end, we will be a powerful team.”

Roig was an integral part of the team’s offensive flow in 2023, reaching the scoring column in every game.

“Lucy really understands the game and is able to read what the other team is doing in order to force turnovers and gain possession,” Peery said. “Her strength is her ability to cut and get open in tight places. She does a great job of making quick cuts with her eyes up, reading the goalie and (getting) the open spots.

“She was a big contributor. She opened the scoring in many big games, giving her teammates the confidence to play their game.”

The Quakers compete in Section 2-2A along with Ambridge, Aquinas Academy, Blackhawk, Chartiers Valley, Knoch, Mars, Moon, North Catholic, Seton-La Salle, South Fayette and Trinity.

“I’m excited for section play this year,” said Perry, whose assistants are Kristin Hric and Gretchen Barbera. “Our section is so big, so there are going to be a lot of tough matchups. My girls are driven and want to win, so I think that will take them a long way. I’m looking forward to another exciting lacrosse season.”

Cupelli, Foster, Hewitt, Reiner and Roig are QV’s co-captains. Hewitt and Reiner also are hockey players.

“My personal goals for this season are to reach 100 career goals and to be a leader on and off the field,” Roig said. “I want to make sure my teammates are feeling good and are ready for whatever comes our way.”

QV has won three WPIAL championships in girls lacrosse. The Quakers took the 3A crown in 2015 and won the first two titles in 2A in 2009 and 2010.

Tags: Quaker Valley, Sewickley Academy