Peters Township girls claim another lacrosse title
“We Are Family” proved the anthem for the Pittsburgh Pirates as they won the 1979 World Series.
At Peters Township, they’ve recycled the song for their lacrosse team. For, after the Lady Indians defeated Shady Side Academy, 16-14, at Martorelli Stadium in North Hills and captured the WPIAL Division I girls’ championship, that theme rang out loudly.
“We truly are a family,” said Hannah Wilcox, who exploded for four goals in the triumph.
“It was fun to win but it’s especially nice to know your whole team did it together.”
Caitlin Carey concurred.
“The championship meant a lot to everyone on our team. It means everything to us.
“We are all really dedicated and are extremely close on and off the field,” she said. “We play really well as a team and that’s what’s important to us.”
Camaraderie creates champions. Carey knows this first hand. The senior, who will play for Duke University next year, has played on Peters Township’s back-to-back lacrosse winners as well as on the Lady Indians’ state championship soccer clubs.
“It’s not every day you get to the opportunity to play on a three-time state soccer team. I love lacrosse so (that title) means the most to me. “I love both teams though,” Carey continued. “So being able to accomplish the things we did on both means a lot.”
It meant a lot that most of the Indians had been there before. In addition to winning the WPIAL title in 2012, Peters Township claimed three district crowns from 2007-09.
Peters Township led, 14-9, but Felicia Tissenbaum scored three of her six goals to narrow the gap with 15:50 to play
And, when Shady Side drew within one goal, the Lady Indians weathered the pressure. And, Sarah Bootman responded with her 200th goal of her career. Wilcox assisted the tally.
“We were expecting a close match and a tough battle from Shady Side,” said Carey. “Of course everyone gets a little nervous when the score gets closer but we managed to settle down and keep playing our game.”
Bootman, Carey and Allison Hurley racked up hat tricks while goalie Mel Morgret anchored the defense.
Olivia Glod, Alyse Kilberg and Gina Bilsick had the other goals.
With the win, PT improved to 17-2 overall. The Indians will play their first PIAA playoff game May 29.
PT advanced through the WPIAL tournament with victories over Sewickley Academy, 20-8, in the quarterfinals and Pine Richland, 12-10, in the semifinals. The Indians beat the Rams in last year’s finals.