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Three girls lacrosse teams from Berks set to open PIAA playoffs Tuesday

Three teams from the Berks Girls Lacrosse League will compete in the PIAA Tournament starting Tuesday.

Twin Valley, the Berks and District 3 Class 2A champion, will open at home against District 7 runner-up Mars in a first-round game at 5 p.m.

In Class 3A, District 3 runner-up Gov. Mifflin will host Garnet Valley, the third-place team from District 1, at 7. Wilson, the third-place team from District 3, will play at District 1 runner-up Springfield (Delco) at 5.

Twin Valley (22-1) is making its second consecutive appearance in the state playoffs after falling to Archbishop Carroll 14-9 in last year’s semifinals.

“We are excited to be playing on our home turf and grateful to be playing in states again this year,” coach Courtney Kaplan said in an email. “We have watched film and see that we should match up well with them. The draw will be a good indicator on how the game will go. Our plan is to be smart with the ball, limiting turnovers on our end and capitalizing on every opportunity.”

Twin Valley is looking to bring home a coveted third banner after winning the county and district titles. The Raiders are riding momentum after avenging a last year’s district final loss by beating York Catholic 14-13 in come-from-behind fashion to claim this year’s trophy.

“This gave us the confidence because we can see that we can come from behind and win it,” Kaplan said after her team beat the Fighting Irish. “And so I just feel like it gives us a lot to work with and a lot to build on it because now we know what we are capable of. It kind of opens the doors for everything. These girls can do whatever they want; the sky’s the limit.”

Two-time Berks Player of the Year Anna Kaplan, Courtney’s daughter, leads a dynamic Twin Valley team that has won 18 games by 10 goals or more. Kaplan has 57 goals and 68 assists and is second on the team in points to fellow senior Julia Givens, who has 67 goals and 61 assists for a Berks-high 128 points.

The Raiders boast a powerful core of six seniors who have been playing together for years and are looking to cap their careers by winning a state championship. Highlighting an offense that has scored a league-high 377 goals is Emma Raines, Berks’ leading goal scorer with 93. All-Berks selection Emma Winther and Rachel Knight provide senior leadership on defense. Rounding out the senior class is all-division midfielder Jade Shearer, who provides an extra threat with 42 goals and 29 assists.

Junior and all-division goalie Paige Borkowski has 123 saves as Twin Valley has allowed a league-low 103 goals.

“They’re best friends and that is what’s so special,” Kaplan said last week. “It’s great to be a part of it.”

Mifflin (15-6) is making its first appearance in the PIAA playoffs while Garnet Valley is a four-time state champion.

The Mustangs fell to Manheim Township 19-7 in the District 3 Class 3A championship. Sixth-seeded Mifflin bested third-seeded Cumberland Valley 10-8 and second-seeded Hempfield 20-10 on the way to the district title game.

The Mustangs are led on offense by a trio of All-Berks seniors. Mia Beilhart leads the team in points with 127 points on 61 goals and 66 assists; Eliza Enriquez leads the team in goals (84) and has 26 assists; and senior Sophia Stanislawcyzk has 74 goals and 16 assists.

Riley Troilo has made 187 saves for Mifflin.

Wilson is coming off a 14-8 win over Hempfield in the District 3 Class 3A third-place game.

“Our team is excited to play and are focused on Springfield (Delco),” Wilson coach John Spleen said in an email. “The girls have come a long way this season. … They have bought into the team concept and are playing arguably their best lacrosse at just the right time of the year.”

Wilson is led by two All-Berks picks in Alexa Kairis, who has a team-high 70 goals and 19 assists, and by Kayla Wilkes, the team’s lone senior who has 68 goals and 20 assists.

All-division attacker Ainsley McClain scored a team-high five goals in the win against Hempfield and has 60 this season, while goalkeeper Maria Sasaran recorded six saves to give her 88 for the season.

Wilson is 7-4 against non-league opponents and Spleen said he believes his team rises up against tougher competition and will be ready for the grind of the state tournament.

“Any District 1 team is always a tough play, but I feel this team seems to get up and play their best in these situations,” Spleen said in an email. “We’ve told the girls it’s now a new four-game season and to take each opponent one game at a time, limit our mistakes and make them play to our game. We look forward to this opportunity and to make a good showing for both the BCIAA and District 3.”


Source: Berkshire mont

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