Penn-Trafford girls lacrosse ready to tackle tough competition in Class 3A

By: John Phillips
Sunday, March 30, 2025 | 11:01 AM

The Penn-Trafford girls lacrosse team is facing some stiff competition in 2025. After competing in Class 2A, the Warriors moved up to the rugged Section 1 in Class 3A.

In 2024, Penn-Trafford lost in the WPIAL class 2A semis and made the PIAA tournament. So far in 2025, the Warriors are off to a 2-3 start, giving third-year coach Rich Vislocky some optimism as the focus now centers on section play.

“It’s going to be a challenge,” Vislocky said. “The teams we must face like Plum, who also moved up in class with us, will be challenging. Norwin, Bethel Park, Upper St Clair and Peters Township are others who we know will be at the top of the section as well.”

The Warriors began the year getting some practices in, including a scrimmage against Pine-Richland that gave Vislocky an idea of where his team stood going into the regular season.

“We played Pine-Richland and didn’t fare so well,” he shared. “We see them at the top of the class, and we want to compete. The girls are ready to put in the work and leave it all on the field to win.”

Vislocky grew up on Long Island and started playing at the game he loves at the age of 8. His play in high school was good enough for him to attend St. John’s University and continue his career, but the school disbanded the program after his freshman season.

“I had some friends at Adelphi University on Long Island who heard what happened, so they called me,’ Vislocky explained. “Seven of us transferred over and we played for three national titles after that and won it all in 1998 and ‘99, beating CW Post.”

Vislocky got started coaching five years ago because his daughter wanted to play.

“My wife was out, and people were talking about starting a team, and I had coached boys at Franklin Regional High School, so they asked me to get involved in their youth teams,” he said.

When Vislosky’s daughter moved up to the high school, the school board asked him to take over the reins of the high school team.

“The varsity program started in 2017 at the high school level, so there was a program in place,” said Vislocky. “All of the parents supported it, starting with those who started the youth program. To go from one team to start, they now have three from U-10 to U-12 and U-14 in just five years. All the support from the entire organization is amazing.”

Returning seniors for the Warriors include defender Gianna Botti, who was voted as one of three team captains.

“Gianna is the leader of that defense,” Vislocky said. “She does a really good job of getting the girls to execute and stay focused. She is a real good defender.”

Senior midfielder Ayla Moffa, who also plays ice hockey, will be a key factor in the Warriors’ run toward a section title.

“She has that energy that’s contagious,” Vislocky said. “In all aspects of the game, it’s unmatched. Ground balls, defense, it doesn’t matter.”

The Warriors lost a key attacking forward who registered 37 points last year in sophomore Lily Crenshaw just before spring practices began.

“She was playing with her travel lacrosse team back in the fall and suffered a knee injury that required surgery, so losing her hurts us,” Vislocky said.

Other key contributors coming back include junior goaltender Madison Hagan, junior midfielder Annabelle Aquino and sophomore Avery Bosack, who was an attacker last season but has moved to midfield and plays the key role of draw specialist.

Tags: Penn-Trafford