Norwin lacrosse teams make ‘smooth transition’

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Saturday, April 18, 2026 | 11:01 AM

When asked what his team’s style will be this season, Norwin boys lacrosse coach Colin Ekis used three words.

“Patient, controlled, opportunistic.”

Norwin went 5-9 last year despite a senior-led group, an overall disappointment, Ekis said.

Top returning players include senior goalkeeper Ty George, senior defender/long-stick midfielder Reid Wilson, senior defender Jace Pirillo, and attackers in junior Ryan Nemes and Max Ritz.

“We are an overall extremely young roster,” Ekis said, “so, I feel like we are still trying to find what our identity is overall.”

Norwin has four seniors, six juniors, 11 sophomores and nine freshmen.

Others looking to make an impact include junior midfielder and face-off man Ayden Young, sophomore midfielder Gio Pirollo, junior Declan Mullen, sophomore defender Evan Stiles and freshman attacker Max Sirianni.

Girls start 3-0-1

Momentum is on Norwin’s side this season.

The Knights won their first girls lacrosse playoff game in program history last season when they topped Fox Chapel in overtime. The team finished 8-10 after a loss to Moon in the WPIAL quarterfinals.

Norwin was off to a 3-0-1 start (2-0-1 in section) with wins over Franklin Regional and Peters Township, and a tie against Penn-Trafford.

“Those are three games we lost last season,” coach Courtney Abbondanza said.

Norwin lost two senior defenders to graduation and a senior defender — Maddy Bulger — to an injury.

But five starters returned, including senior attacker Gia Fernandez, senior midfielder Karlie Johnson, senior defender Maeve Schmook, senior defender Rebecca Kostrobala and senior goalie Sydney Valenta.

“It was a really smooth transition,” Abbondanza said. “All five of these girls have been varsity starters since they were freshmen. We’ve built the team around them, and their growth and leadership has really shown this season. It’s so fulfilling to have had the opportunity to watch them mature as both lacrosse players and teammates.”

Other players looking to make an impact in the lineup are sophomore midfielders Jackie DeMarines and Sophia Laskowski, and junior defender Lily Morrow. When Norwin wins, it will probably have to do with team unity.

“We focus a lot on possession and teamwork this year,” Abbondanza said. “Trying to possess the ball as long as possible but also trusting our teammates to make things happen. With the core of our lineup working together for many years, the trust is evident. We are trusting each other to take opportunities to goal, confident in each other’s stick skills, and allowing our teammates to handle one-on-one defensive drives rather than sliding too early to help.”

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

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