Jun 5, 2024 3 min read

Mt. Lebanon opened PIAA lacrosse competition with convincing wins on June 4 against McDowell in Erie. While the girls dispatched the Trojans, 18-2, the boys posted a 21-1 victory.

Ten different players scored for the Lady Blue Devils.

Lucy Pryor and Sarah Hudak had hat tricks. Hudak added an assist

Megan Daniels, Nora Austin, Cali Green and Ann Tinnemeyer collected two goals each.

Quinn and Addie Murdoch along with Vivi Warhol and Grace Manning completed the scoring with single tallies.

Addie Murdoch and Kenley Petulla added assists.

“They really came out hard from the start of the game. It was a very balanced effort,” explained Lebo skipper Brian Kattan

Madison Flynn and Nina Crago shared time in the nets. Each collected saves.

Lebo’s 20th victory of the season came on the heels of winning the WPIAL title back on May 23.

“It was great to see us really be ready from the time we got off the bus. This can be a tough time of year to stay focused,” Kattan said.

Nine players would graduate on June 6. In addition, there were final exams and end-of-school-year celebrations.

“There is a lot going on for the players,” Kattan continued. “It is really another testament to our seniors. They are such great leaders. They knew what we needed to do and they went out and set an example from the start.”

Meanwhile the Lebo boys were led by the attack of Miles Halter, Fred Lasota and Luke Prezioso.

“It was a nice win,” commented Mike Ermer.

However, he added, the Blue Devils have moved on. Their focus was the quick turnaround to face the District 1 champions in the quarterfinals.

The Lebo boys played Garnet Valley (18-4) while the girls faced off against Conestoga (18-4) on June 8.

SF LAX

South Fayette defeated Cathedral Prep, 15-4, in the first round of the PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse tournament.

Thanks to a hat trick by Owen Makar, the Lions jumped off to a 6-0 lead. Drew Welhorsky (2) and Pierce Hondru scored goals in the first frame.

Makar and Welhorsky pushed the margin to 8-1 by halftime.

Makar tacked on two more goals in the third quarter and his seventh tally in the game occurred in the final frame.

Wade Scholar scored twice in the second half. Nathaniel Keller and Nick Young also had goals in the third quarter, when the lead swelled to 13-3.

With the win, the Lions improved to 20-2 and advanced to the quarterfinals, which were played June 8.

The PIAA finals are set for noon June 15 at Panzer Stadium on the Penn State University campus. Championship action continues with Class 3A girls at 2:30 p.m. followed by the Class 3A boys at 4:30 p.m.

SOFTBALL

Chartiers Valley (18-4) defeated Cathedral Prep, 6-1, in a first-round PIAA Class 4A softball playoff game held June 3 at Penn State Behrend.

Taylor Walsh held the District 10 champions to two hits while striking out five in seven innings on the mound. At the plate, she drove in a run with a base hit.

Marta Gualazzi and Kali Franklin provided the fire power as each tagged two hits. Gualazzi drove in two runs while Franklin scored twice, drove in a run and swiped a base.

Lily Duffill smacked an RBI double. Annabelle Helt and Kaitlyn Truong each scored runs. Caitlin O’Farrell had a base hit and a sacrifice.

The Colts were scheduled to play Elizabeth-Forward, the WPIAL champion, in the quarterfinals on June 6.

The PIAA finals are set for 1:30 p.m. June 14 at Nittany Lion Softball Park on the Penn State University campus.