Pennridge girls and boys' lacrosse teams vie for PIAA tournament. Why it's a tough climb
Pennridge lacrosse has been building to this chance for years — when both boys and girls teams could make it to states among a tough crowd of more experienced programs.
Qualifying for states is not easy and the goal isn't lost on the Pennridge Rams. This week both teams vie for spots in the PIAA Class 3A tournament out of District One. Teams from Delaware County have long dominated District One with powerhouse teams bolstered by strong youth programs that feed their high schools.
Since 2009, when lacrosse was sanctioned by the PIAA, no school from Bucks County or eastern Montgomery County, with the exception of private LaSalle High School, has yielded either district or PIAA title. It's been a difficult climb for all schools.
"The Main Line teams are always really good," Pennridge senior midfielder Ava Fantaskey said.
"They've played together since when they're little and are just really strong in lacrosse. We know we have to play our best in every game."
Pennridge girls, boys both aiming high
Fantaskey and the Rams, both the girls and boys' teams, are in rare air.
Just the Rams and Upper Dublin's boys and girls' lacrosse teams are still alive in the tournament and still have a chance to reach the PIAA tournament.
"We've just tried to keep working hard to get better," Pennridge senior attack Ryan Carickhoff said.
"We were something like 6-12 my sophomore year and really started turning things around last season."
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Last season, the Pennridge boys qualified for the PIAA tournament for the first time in school history. The girls won their district play-in game a season ago before losing in the opening round to eventual district and PIAA champion Owen J. Roberts.
On Tuesday, both the boys and girls can earn spots in states with wins in their respective quarterfinal matchups.
"This is my 10th year as head coach and as far as I know, the Pennridge girls have never made it to states," Karen Feher said.
"What these girls have done this season is go further than any other team at Pennridge and I couldn't be prouder of them. The fact that both the girls and boys are still going is a great accomplishment."
Not an easy road for Pennridge girls, boys
Qualifying for the PIAA tournament is brutal.
The Pennridge boys (16-3), who are seeded fifth, have to play at No. 4 Radnor on Tuesday (5 p.m.) in their quarterfinal.
Yes, that Radnor, the three-time defending PIAA Class 3A champs.
As for the eighth-seeded girls (14-5), who shared the Suburban One League National Conference title with Pennsbury, they have to tangle with top-seeded and host Downingtown West on Tuesday (7 p.m.).
Wins on Tuesday would put both in Thursday's semifinals.
Losses wouldn't be the end of the season, though.
Losses mean a spot in the consolation bracket where an eventual seventh-place finish or better (girls) or sixth-place finish or better (boys) would still earn berths in the state event, which begins June 4.
Confidence is high for Pennridge boys, girls
"Our expectations coming into this season were pretty high," said Pennridge senior attack Frankie Fanelli, whose sophomore brother Rocco also starts for the Rams.
"We had a lot of key players coming back from last year and it's been a lot of fun. Winning the (SOL National Conference) league title again was great and we just want to keep it going."
The girls feel the same way.
"There are eight teams left in the district and seven of them make it to states," Pennridge senior midfielder Kendall Posey said.
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"Our goal is to make it there."
Third-year Pennridge boys' head coach Chris Pianko has orchestrated the turnaround of the program in a hurry.
"It's a credit to the kids and the work they've put in," Pianko said. "We needed to keep the ball rolling after last year and have been able to do that, but there's still a lot to be done.
"And to have the girls still going, too, is great to see."
Drew Markol covers local sports for PhillyBurbs.com. Support our journalism with a subscription.
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Pennridge girls, boys' lacrosse teams looking to make PIAA playoffs
