High school lacrosse: District champion picks, St. Andrew's girls hope to shut down Heritage-Delray
BOCA RATON — Hopes are high for the girls of St. Andrew's as district championship tournaments approach for high school lacrosse teams around the state.
Yep. You read that right. The girls.
The Scots' boys program often sits front and center with its seven state championship titles, three in the past three seasons. However, St. Andrew's girls coach Matthew Bellando has quite the special group of his own, one that just wrapped a 12-2 regular season with a decisive 17-3 victory over St. Edward's, which finished 10-3.
Now St Andrew's has its eyes set on districts, but the Scots are putting on the blinders to stay focused on the daunting task of corralling the Stallions of American Heritage-Delray to take the trophy this spring.
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Before the final stretch to the program's third state title last year, Heritage-Delray kept its tradition of never losing a district championship and ran up a 22-3 scoreboard against St. Andrew's.
"We're just taking it game by game because it's girls lacrosse. You never know what could happen," Olivia Meehan said with a smile.
What'll make this year any different and a matchup worth going to?
Well, Meehan and Isabella Virtue aren't seeing their teammates fighting against each other but for each other.
"This year, we've all been working very hard. Even in the off hours. We've been doing wall ball every day in practice for 15 minutes. We're just trying to do all the little things to show that we really want to win," Meehan said.
"Instead of arguing, we all help each other. We have a group chat to send all the plays. This year, everyone feels really comfortable with each other and like we can ask questions," Virtue said.
"Our team is really supportive. We don't yell that much and that helps us not shut down. After we make a mistake, our coaches aren't just screaming at us and tearing everyone down."
Virtue recalled the Scots' last meeting of March at the Community School of Naples. St. Andrew's was down at halftime by six, and it stayed that way until a rally in the final couple of minutes saw the Scots win 14-13.
"They help us and improve us and make us a lot better, and they let captains and people on the team communicate so that we can respect everybody on the team," Virtue said of the staff at St. Andrew's.
"As long as they believe, I'll support them and get them through it," Bellando said. "I mean, the way these girls have been playing, I can't wait to see what's going to happen."
Not to mention the underclassman duo is just as talented beyond their years as they are wise.
"It's something every coach dreams about. Having them is a blessing and hopefully they can keep rolling and keep shocking people with what they're doing," Bellando said.
Virtue is averaging nearly five goals per game while Meehan is a menace at the draw, winning 94.6% on the year.
"She's very fast and definitely very shifty. Especially for a freshman. It's really nice to work with her because you can always count on her. Pass it anywhere and she's got it," Meehan said of Virtue.
"My job is so much easier because of Olivia. I don't know where it's gonna go, but sometimes I just run back because I can be that confident in her," Virtue laughed.
Virtue, Meehan, and friends will return to their home field on Friday to avenge last spring's 10-9 semifinal loss to King's Academy, 13-2 in 2024 and led in the cage by Drexel goalie signee Lucy Dailey.
Boys lacrosse
Class 1A
District 8
April 11 Quarterfinals: No. 5 Jupiter Christian at No. 4 Pine School, 4 p.m., No. 6 John Carroll Catholic at No. 3 Jensen Beach, 7:30 p.m.
April 13 Semifinals: JB/JCC at No. 2 St. Edward's, 6 p.m., Pine/JCS at No. 1 Benjamin, 2 p.m.
When is the championship? Wednesday, April 17, 7 p.m.
Who is The Post's pick to win? Benjamin
District 13
April 10 Quarterfinals: No. 5 American Heritage-Delray at No. 4 Cardinal Newman, 6 p.m.
April 12 Semifinals: No. 3 King's Academy at No. 2 Oxbridge, 6 p.m., CN/AHD at No. 1 St. John Paul II, 6 p.m.
When is the championship? Tuesday, April 16, 6 p.m.
Who is The Post's pick to win? St. John Paul II
District 14
April 10 Quarterfinals: No. 5 Cardinal Gibbons at No. 4 Calvary Christian Academy, 5 p.m., No. 6 Westminster Academy at No. 3 American Heritage-Plantation, 5 p.m.
April 11 Semifinal: CCA/CG at No. 1 St. Andrew's, 4 p.m.
April 12 Semifinal: AHP/WA at No. 2 Pine Crest, 5 p.m.
When is the championship? Tuesday, April 16, 7:30 p.m.
Who is The Post's pick to win? St. Andrew's
Class 2A
District 13
April 11 Quarterfinals: No. 5 Palm Beach Gardens at No. 4 Dwyer, 6 p.m.
April 16 Semifinals: WTD/PBG at No. 1 Jupiter, 6 p.m., No. 3 South Fork at No. 2 Martin County, 6 p.m.
When is the championship? Wednesday, April 17, 7 p.m.
Who is The Post's pick to win? Jupiter
District 14
April 11 Quarterfinals: No. 5 Park Vista at No. 4 Spanish River, 7:30 p.m., No. 6 Seminole Ridge at No. 3 Palm Beach Central, 7 p.m.
April 16 Semifinals: PBC/Ridge vs. No. 2 Wellington, 5:30 p.m., River/PV vs. No. 1 Boca Raton, 7 p.m.
When is the championship? Thursday, April 18, 6:30 p.m. *Semifinals and finals to be held at Park Vista
Who is The Post's pick to win? Boca Raton
District 15
April 10 Semifinals: No. 3 West Boca Raton vs. No. 2 Stoneman Douglas, 6 p.m., No. 4 Coral Springs at No. 1 St. Thomas Aquinas, 8 p.m.
When is the championship? Friday, 7 p.m. *Semifinals and finals to be held at St. Thomas Aquinas
Who is The Post's pick to win? St. Thomas Aquinas
Girls lacrosse
Class 1A
District 13
April 10 Quarterfinals: No. 5 South Fork at No. 4 Pine School, 4 p.m.
April 12 Semifinals: No. 3 Jensen Beach at No. 2 St. Edward's, 6 p.m., SF/Pine at No. 1 Benjamin, 6 p.m.
When is the championship? Thursday, April 18, 6 p.m.
Who is The Post's pick to win? Benjamin
District 14
April 10 Quarterfinals: No. 6 Oxbridge at No. 3 King's, 6 p.m.
April 12 Semifinals: OA/TKA at No. 2 St. Andrew's, 5 p.m., Cardinal Newman/St. John Paul II at No. 1 American Heritage-Delray
When is the championship? Tuesday, April 16, 6 p.m.
Who is The Post's pick to win? American Heritage-Delray
Class 2A
District 13
April 11 Quarterfinals: No. 5 Seminole Ridge at No. 4 Wellington, 5 p.m., No. 6 Palm Beach Gardens at No. 3 Dwyer, 5 p.m.
April 15 Semifinals: PBG/WTD at No. 2 Jupiter, 5 p.m., Welly/Ridge at No. 1 Martin County, 5 p.m.
When is the championship? Wednesday, April 17, 5 p.m.
Who is The Post's pick to win? Jupiter
District 14
April 11 Quarterfinals: No. 5 Palm Beach Central at No. 4 Spanish River, 6:30 p.m., No. 6 West Boca Raton at No. 3 Park Vista, 6:30 p.m.
April 15 Semifinals: WBR/PV vs. No. 2 Boca Raton, 5:30 p.m., River/PBC vs. No. 1 Douglas, 7 p.m.
When is the championship? April 17, 7:30 p.m. *Semifinals and finals to be held at Park Vista High
Who is The Post's pick to win? Boca Raton
District 16
April 16 Semifinals: No. 2 West Broward at No. 2 Olympic Heights, 4 p.m., Coral Reef/Lourdes at No. 1 Palmetto, 4 p.m.
When is the championship? Thursday, April 18, 4 p.m.
Who is The Post's pick to win? Palmetto
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: High school lacrosse: Check out district championship predictions
