Mars topples Char Valley in WPIAL 2A girls lacrosse final
Chartiers Valley captured its first WPIAL title in girls lacrosse two years ago by defeating Mars.
On May 23, the Planets exacted a bit of revenge by defeating the Lady Colts, 14-6, in the Class AA championship match played at Joe Walton Stadium on the Robert Morris University campus. It was the second straight title for Mars.
However, with only two seniors – Milla Konokchieva and Lyda Rethage – on its varsity roster, the Lady Colts assuredly will return to the 2025 final.
“I am excited with what we have coming back,” said CV head coach Melissa Moran. “We have a large junior class that is very talented. I am excited for the freshman coming up and a couple of seniors that might join us. I certainly plan to be back next year.”
CV’s junior grouping includes Juliana Betts, Megan Witte, Ava Warzinski and Mallory LaGamba. They accounted for the scoring against Mars.
Betts picked up two goals and an assist while Warzinski posted one of each. Witte also supplied two tallies while LaGamba provided one.
For a frame, the Lady Colts held their own against the Planets. They trailed, 2-1, but by intermission the margin was 6-2. Mars continued to wear down CV, which featured only 20 players on its roster.
“I think they recognized we did not have a deep bench and they were able to tire us out early,” Moran explained. “They got the lead early and just pulled away and knocked our confidence down a bit.”
Mya Cote has a way of doing that against opponents. The University of St. Joseph recruit fired in four goals and collected an assist for the Planets.
“She’s a phenomenal player,” Moran said.
McKenna Merritt also was impressive against the Lady Colts. She also racked up four goals and an assist for the Planets.
Tess McGrath had a hat trick while Hailey Long provided two scores. A goal by Kennedy Kolson as well as assists from Anna Bowser and Anna McGrath contributed to a Mars offensive attack that produced 29 shots on goal against Kaitlyn Kuczinksi, who was credited with 15 saves.
Seeded third in the tournament after finishing runner-up to Mars in Section II with a 10-1 record, CV edged South Fayette, 8-7, in overtime of a semifinal match played May 20 at Peters Township. After a first-round bye, the Lady Colts beat Quaker Valley by another one-run decision, 10-9.
“We stayed healthy this year and that was a reason why we got here,” Moran said of reaching the finals.
In addition to the players in the scoring column, CV benefited this season from the play of freshmen Calle Milliken and Ava Swiontek along with sophomores Jenna Sexton, Valerie Suter, Kylie Miller and Krystal Ibrahim as well as juniors Ashlyn Tornabene, Aislinn Myrah, Ava Antonucci, Natalia Palumbo, Natalia Adrima, Gianna Baker and Kaiya Morrison.
Despite the loss to Mars (17-2-1), Chartiers Valley (16-3-1) have qualified for the PIAA tournament. The first round of the state competition is set for June 4.