Resilient Upper Moreland girls' lacrosse team proves last year's success was no fluke
It was kind of hanging out there a bit.
Unspoken, but still prevalent.
The "was" was those wondering if Upper Moreland deserved the top seed in the PIAA District One Class 2A girls' lacrosse tournament.
Yes, the Golden Bears qualified for the PIAA tournament for the first time last season, finishing third in districts (as the third seed), but ...
"I'm sure there are people out there wondering why we're the top seed and if we deserve to be," UM head coach Kim Frantz said.
"The other side of the district is always very strong, but our girls have put the work in and are very good."
However, UM graduated a ton of seniors from that 2023 team, so 2024, regardless, was going to be a litmus test.
Were the Golden Bears a "one-year wonder" of a team or had the building of a program, where they're solid every year, been put in place?
Upper Moreland heading back to PIAA tournament
After Tuesday's 10-9 win over eighth-seeded Strath Haven in a game the Golden Bears led 5-0 after one quarter, UM is well on its way to passing that test and answering that question by earning a second straight trip to the PIAA tournament. States begin June 4.
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"A lot of good players graduated last year," said UM junior attack Annalise Messina, who has already committed to Rutgers University. "But we had four freshmen step in and they're starting for us and have been playing great all season.
"We didn't know if that was going to happen, but the younger players adjusted and have been a really big part of our success."
Up next, UM will host fourth-seeded Bishop Shanahan in the semifinals on Thursday at 4 p.m.
A win against Shanahan would put the Golden Bears into next Wednesday's title game for the first time. A loss would drop them into the consolation final, also next Wednesday. Since the top four finishers in the tournament qualify for states, all four semifinalists (Springfield Township and Villa Maria are the other two) have secured spots.
"We have to keep playing well because we want to win districts," said junior goalie Addi Hurley, a two-year starter who backed up older sister Emma as a freshman.
"We lost in the semifinals last year and don't want that to happen again."
Upper Moreland keeps filling holes in lineup
While Messina, called the best player in school history by Frantz, had four goals and dominated from start to finish against Strath Haven, the Golden Bears are far from a one-player team.
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The Meakim sisters, Molly and Olivia (both attacks), along with Maggie Morrow, midfielder Willow Taylor and defenders Avery Adamski and Cambrie Richmond, all play huge roles.
Add in the freshmen contributors — defenders Leah King and Madeline Cox along with Keiley Hawk (attack) and midfielder Keria Hess — and you have a team that has won 17 games and is still going.
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"I think it's all about team chemistry and the environment that's been built here," Hurley said.
"Everyone tries to support everyone on the team and our coach is great. It all adds up and helps us do well."
Drew Markol covers local sports for PhillyBurbs.com. Support our journalism with a subscription.
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: It's no fluke what Upper Moreland girls' lacrosse keeps doing
