May 15, 2025 By Eleanor Bailey 5 min read

Regardless of a loss to Quaker Valley in the quarterfinals of the WPIAL playoffs, Seton LaSalle enjoyed an historic season in girls’ lacrosse.

While the Rebels earned the No. 2 seed in the Class 2A playoffs behind two-time defending champion Mars, they had been a record-scoring machine before their season-ending loss, thanks to Lizzie Dorley from South Fayette.

A four-year starter, Dorley holds four team records and is the school’s first 50-50 player. On March 25, she racked up a record seven assists, all in the first half, during a win against Yough.

In helping the Rebels to an undefeated section banner (10-0) and a 15-1 regular season mark, Dorley dished up 63 assists. She finished with 130 career assists.

Additionally, Dorley racked up 66 goals this spring. She has 110 career goals.

“She’s absolutely been our leader all year and prior to that,” said SLS skipper Brian Klisavage, noting her 25 assists as a freshman.

“She’s clearly our boss on the field. Quarterback. Field general. She has taken it upon herself to direct the offense. Clearly, the players all look to her for leadership.”

Noting one doesn’t see assist numbers as Dorley has produced to go along with her scoring production, Klisavage said that “speaks” to Dorley’s unselfishness and field awareness.

“She sees the big picture,” he said. “A lot of scorers look to goal first and it’s no secret who our leader is. Teams shadow her. Face guard her. Lizzie doesn’t shy from the challenge. She gets fired up, works harder, keeps her poise and executes.

“I have had a number of good players but I don’t know that I have had one that really is a student of the game. Lizzie really is and it is amazing how well she sees the development of the play. She finds girls open that nobody sees.”

Dorley often finds Megan Kelley in the open. A senior, who has played beside Dorley for four seasons, Kelley scored 63 goals this spring. She has 186 career tallies. Kelley ranks second all-time in scoring, behind Ellie Grefenstette.

While Dorley plans to continue playing while studying exercise science at Mount Union, Kelley will continue her athletic career at Gannon University while majoring in elementary education.

The Rebels were a triple threat to score against opponents because of Riley Woods. A junior attack, who lives in Bethel Park, also has produced over 50 goals this spring, finishing with 58 total. She has 23 assists.

Noting he has never had three 50-goal scorers in one season, Klisavage said that Woods has “learned” a lot and “taken a lead” from Dorley. “We know we have her next year,” he enthused.

“As a team, we have far more assists than any other team that we have ever had,” he added. “Obviously the girls look to go to the goal but they also look out for each other.

According to Klisavage, SLS’s upperclassmen have played great leadership roles, especially since the team has no middle school or feeder program. The older players coach and teach the younger ones.

“They are all happy to get an assist as much as get a goal themselves,” he said.

Seniors Elisabeth Maleski, Bobbi Crawford, Sydney Athanas and Maddy Miller are equally enthusiastic about limiting the opposition scoring opportunities. They spearhead the defense along with Sam Barker, a sophomore goalie who has over 100 saves.

“Our defenders have been tremendous,” Klisavage said.

With Katie Gaetano and Faith Simon, the Rebels have dominated in the midfield and Hope Saksa has provided significant minutes off the bench.

“We have really depended on those players consistently,” Klisavage said.

While the Rebels lack depth, depending upon a core of 13 players, they have relied on intangibles for their success. .

“This group is remarkable. It doesn’t quit,” Klisavage said. “They have shown resilience and tenacity and a great deal of unity.”

Those traits and strengths along with talent carried the Rebels into the postseason but their “comparative inexperience” showed in the 15-3 loss to the Quakers.

NOTES: Several area teams began their pursuit of WPIAL titles in lacrosse, too.

In Class 2A boys action on May 13, Bethel Park defeated Quaker Valley, 12-10, while Chartiers Valley beat Sewickley Academy, 7-4. The Hawks moved on to face top-seeded Mars in the quarterfinals while the Colts faced Peters Township. Both games on May 15 were played after The Almanac went to print and thus results were unavailable at presstime.

In Class 3A girls action on May 13, Peters Township downed North Allegheny, 15-9 while Shady Side Academy eliminated Bethel Park, 13-8. The Indians played No. 3 Mt. Lebanon in the quarterfinals on May 15.

In Class 2A, Chartiers Valley defeated South Fayette, 9-3, to advance to the quarterfinals set for May 19 at site and time to be determined. The Colts were scheduled to play Quaker Valley.

The WPIAL championships are scheduled for May 21-22 at Upper St. Clair High School stadium. Times are to be determined.