Tight bond brightens North Allegheny girls lacrosse

By: John Grupp
Saturday, March 29, 2025 | 11:01 AM

Previous Next

The North Allegheny girls lacrosse team hopes chemistry is the ideal formula for success.

Coach Courtney Killian said this year’s roster is the tightest-knit group in her three seasons, and senior midfielder Maddy Lemmon agrees.

“I think our team bond is definitely a lot better this year than it has been in years past,” Lemmon said. “I think that’s going to help us.”

The Tigers remained positive during an 0-2 start, including a 14-2 loss to defending WPIAL Class 3A champion Mt. Lebanon. The players know it will take some time as they look to replace all-WPIAL midfielder Isla Abrams (42 goals) and all-section goalie Izabella Trunzo.

“I think we are on an uphill climb,” said Lemmon, a Gannon recruit. “We started off a little slow, but we are getting better. The more we practice and the more games we are in, the better it’s going to get.”

Killian, who returned six starters from last year’s 8-9 playoff team, is encouraged by the senior leadership and a “huge, awesome group of sophomores.”

“It’s really a big team effort,” she said. “It is a great group of seniors. They are positive and encouraging, and it’s becoming a healthy culture. We may not see as many (wins) this year, but we will get a lot of learning.”

Junior midfielder Reagan Riordan did a lot of scoring last season, netting a team-high 48 goals. She is joined in the midfield by Lemmon and senior Eryn Kelly.

“I’m hoping we see what we saw last year, and we get that strong, confident leader back on the field,” Killian said of Riordan.

Senior Avery Anderson, a Grove City recruit who had 32 goals and 19 assists last season, and junior Viola DelVecchio (10 goals) share attack with sophomores Addison Sisinni and Briana Elias.

The backline features seniors Tessa McDowell and Jamie Harlan, and sophomores Emery Anderson and Mulaney Stack.

The defense could get a boost with the possible return of senior Riona Redshaw, an Edinboro recruit sidelined with an injury.

Replacing Trunzo in net is junior Fiola Ragan, who missed last season with a torn ACL. Ragan has shown no signs of rust for the Tigers, who are shooting for their seventh consecutive WPIAL playoff berth.

“She’s doing great,” Lemmon said. “You couldn’t even tell that she missed a year.”

The team chemistry is fully healthy. For the first time this season, the players are divided into “families.” Each of the nine seniors is teamed with a couple of underclassmen — varsity or JV — to serve as a mentor. In the past, they were “sisters,” each with one underclassmen.

Lemmon said the families are making special shirts for an upcoming “fun practice.” Her family, Lemmon’s Legends, will be wearing customized yellow shirts that resemble the NA jerseys. She said the tight bond among the different grades translates into better play.

“It brings us closer together,” Lemmon said. “It lets us have more trust in each other and guides us to stay positive, no matter what the score is.”

Tags: North Allegheny