American Heritage-Delray girls lacrosse stays undefeated in state championship rematch

DELRAY BEACH − One wouldn't be faulted for experiencing déjà vu in the stands at American Heritage-Delray for Tuesday's girls lacrosse game.

Nine months since the Stallions decimated Lake Highland Prep for the program's third state championship, Heritage walked away victorious once again with a 14-5 victory on a sunny afternoon which differed from last fall's rain-soaked, lightning-stricken meeting for the 1A trophy in Naples

Now riding a 19-game win-streak, American Heritage-Delray girls lacrosse (4-0) once again appears poised to challenge for state silverware.

In USA Lacrosse Magazine's preseason national Top 25, published Wednesday, the Stallions came in at No. 15 and the top-ranked team in Florida.

"I want to add some bling to the collection," Heritage-Delray senior Harper Throop said. "However, I think as a team, a very big goal of ours is to be ranked top 10 in the country."

"We have the schedule this year to make it happen, and we're gonna put all our effort into doing so."

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Heritage-Delray defense breaking hearts and ankles

Heritage-Delray senior Harper Throop, a Bucknell commit, charged a vicious core of Stallion defenders, recovering ground balls to create scoring opportunities for the likes of senior attack Brooke Goldstein, who led Tuesday with five goals and more contributions.

"Heritage is special because we're able to be aggressive and press out on ball. We can always rely on our teammates to help and slide if we ever get beat," Throop said. "Most high schools pack it in the eight and wait for the attackers to come."

However, Heritage's bite could come at a cost. The Highlanders were awarded over 15 free position opportunities, and stacking yellow cards left the Stallions two players down with 2:42 to the horn.

Throop knows the Stallions have to close in on the checking.

"One of the faults of having such a highly competitive, energetic and young team is that they're going to put it all on the field no matter what and I think our team is learning how to control that," she said.

Egbert steps in at goalie

While Ashley Egbert may be feeling the "pressure" of being a full-time starter, her 12-save performance limited the Highlanders to just one goal a quarter.

"Each time the ref called another free position, I just took a deep breath and focused on the ball and nothing else. Not the girl shooting, my defenders, or the stands. I just had to forget they even shot before and I saved it," Egbert said.

"All the practices leading up to the first game, I felt great, but when that first game came around, I got really nervous. However, my coaches took me aside and reassured me that they believed in me and that there was a reason I was starting and I have nothing to worry about," Egbert recalled. Heritage proceeded to defeat the Community School of Naples, 18-3.

Brianna Valdivieso had been Heritage's starting goalkeeper for three years prior to this season, a two-time state champ in her tenure.

"I think playing behind Bri was an amazing experience, especially coming into the program as an eighth grader. She was such a good role model and mentor," Egbert said. "I definitely think I'm ready to take the team to states again."

Throop is still "shocked" by the fact that Egbert is a sophomore given the "composure" she demonstrates, calling her the "biggest relief" as a defender because she knows when bad angles are forced, a "brick wall" will be there to stop it.

"To accurately see how many saves Ashley has in a game, you have to take the number in the book and multiply it by three," Throop said. "She's always smiling. She brings amazing energy in the locker room and I cannot wait to see where she ends up for college."

Stallions have new freshman for opponents to fear

Heritage-Delray's pipeline of talent extends well beyond its upperclassmen with 10 potential Division I players, not including Florida commit Chiara Schichilone (foot) and Michigan commit Caroline Byrd (ACL) who missed Tuesday's game with injury.

Egbert entered the season ranked 30th in the nation for players in the class of 2026, and the next young Stallion flying under the radar is undoubtedly Switter.

The middie scored Heritage's second goal of the day, assisted by Goldstein, before assisting Goldstein to make the score 3-1 in the first quarter. To kick off the second half, Switter fed Tomonto for Heritage to score seconds into the third quarter and scored an assist from Louisville commit Olivia Scroggie to create an 8-2 lead.

"Tonight was definitely a big night for me," Switter said, crediting her older teammates for being such good role models and leaders.

"It was my first ever rivalry game since starting my high school season. I was definitely nervous going in, but I knew if I kept my energy up and worked hard for every ball, the team would feed off of that and share that same high energy."

"They are my biggest cheerleaders on and off the field and I never doubt their support."

Switter scored again on a free position shot to start off the fourth quarter, also winning the draw in place of junior specialist Gabby Windesheim, a Marquette commit, who inherited the role from longtime starter Alex Dorr, now at Bucknell.

"I couldn't begin to accurately describe how amazing she is as a player and a teammate. She stepped up big-time this year, especially in the absence of Chiara and Byrd," Throop said. "As a freshman coming in, she always puts her all out on the field. She's not intimidated by anyone because she deserves to be there."

Switter and company will take the field again at home on Friday as they host Oxbridge Academy at 6 p.m.

"My goals for the year are to just live in the moment and play the best I can," Switter said. "Of course, a big goal of mine and the team is to win states − and I think we are definitely on track to getting another championship this year."

Emilee Smarr is a sports reporter for the Palm Beach Post. She can be reached via email at esmarr@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: American Heritage-Delray girls lacrosse off to undefeated start in 2024