No matter how well or hard you play, sometimes the other team just has your number.
That was the case for the Wilson girls water polo team when it came to facing North Penn all season.
Wilson was undefeated against every other team in the state but lost three times to archrival North Penn.
The third loss came Saturday night at Wilson’s Roy G. Snyder Natatorium when North Penn defeated defending champion Wilson 9-6 in the Pennsylvania Girls Water Polo Tournament championship game.
“They were a little bit of a stronger team at times,” said Wilson coach Chris Lechleitner. “They’re a team that’s very much like us. It’s tough to play a team that’s similar to your style.”
North Penn put it away over the final six minutes. After Wilson’s Mikayla Arthur tied it at 6-6 with her fourth goal, the Maidens shut down the Bulldogs (23-3) the rest of the way.
Emily Pironti broke the tie with 4:08 left to give North Penn the lead for keeps. Fiona Rowe tacked on two goals in the final 3 ½ minutes to help North Penn avenge last year’s championship game loss and capture its 13th state title.
“Defense has been our strength all year long,” said North Penn coach Jason Grubb. “It’s always a battle between us. Both of our programs are strong every year. We know it’s going to be rough.”
The Maidens opened a 6-3 lead in the second quarter on two goals by Marin Clark. But Arthur, who was voted to the All-State first team, scored later in the second quarter, converted a 5-meter penalty shot for the only goal of the third and scored again early in the fourth to tie it.
But it was all North Penn after that.
“I think we just kind of lost momentum in the last part of the game.” Arthur said. “It was such a great opportunity to play them in such a big game.”
Lexi Stambaugh and Emma Dougherty also scored goals for Wilson. Goalie Jenna Krawlzik kept the Bulldogs in it with solid play that included three saves on 5-meter penalty shots.
“My goalie played incredibly well,” Lechleitner said. “Overall the girls fought back.”
But just like in 7-4 and 11-7 losses to North Penn earlier this season, it wasn’t enough for Wilson to figure a path to victory against the Maidens.
“We’re just a really balanced team,” Grubb said. “I think that really aided us this year. We have multiple people in the middle of the pool that can do their jobs. I think that’s what made us the team we were this year.”
Rowe, Clark and North Penn teammate Maddie Faikish were named to the All-State first team. Arthur was joined on the first team by Wilson teammate Avonlea Lechleitner and Gov. Mifflin’s Kenlee Gollub.
Gov. Mifflin finished fourth, losing 9-1 to North Penn in the semifinals and falling 12-8 to Pennridge in the third-place game.
Pennsylvania State Water Polo Girls All-State Teams
First team
Mikayla Arthur, Wilson
Kenlee Gollub, Gov. Mifflin
Avonlea Lechleitner, Wilson
Fiona Rowe, North Penn
Marin Clark, North Penn
Maddie Faikish, North Penn
Allyson Ricciardi, Pennridge
Faith Pigeon, Wissahickon
Maddie Buss, Central York
Izzie Trunzo, North Allegheny
Second team
Emma Dougherty, Wilson
Emma Friedlander, Gov. Mifflin
Rachael Hess, Muhlenberg
Olivia Vecchio, Wilson
Leia Wolf, Muhlenberg
Emma Raser, North Penn
Lexy Hulse, Pennridge
Lynn Evers, Pennridge
Anna O’Malley, Upper Dublin
Carissa Jones, North Allegheny
Third team
Mackenzie Caron, Gov. Mifflin
Nevaeh Houck, Wilson
Haley Minnich, Gov. Mifflin
Lexi Stambaugh, Wilson
Zoe Welsh, North Penn
Ryanna Ritting, Pennridge
Bernice Fu, Wissahickon
Molly Goodman, Souderton
Abby Ruppel, Upper Dublin
Anna Forde, Wissahickon
Michaela Burroughs, Pennridge
Honorable mention
Kaylee Cipolla, Gov. Mifflin
Reese Ferry, Muhlenberg
Brigid Carmody, North Penn
Avery Hardner, Erie McDowell
Ava Vesey, Pennridge
Casey Burden, Wissahickon
Ava Brennan, Upper Dublin
Torrie Tieppo, North Allegheny
Aly DePalma, Perkiomen Valley
Nyla Halin, Central York
Grace Toland, Springfield Township
Rookie of the Year: Sydney Woods, Wilson
Source: Berkshire mont
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