Nine consecutive regular-season victories propelled the Quaker Valley girls lacrosse team into the WPIAL Class 2A playoffs.
QV racked up a 14-2 record in the regular season and received the No. 3 seed for the district tournament.
Coincidentally, the Quakers defeated both No. 6 Blackhawk and No. 2 Hampton by a 15-5 score after receiving a first-round bye in Class 2A.
“I am extremely proud of the entire team this season,” QV coach Kristin Hric said in an earlier interview. “They set goals for themselves and have been putting in work to achieve them since Day 1. We have a great group of girls who support and push each other to be better each day.”
The QV girls advanced to the WPIAL championship game May 21 against Mars at Upper St. Clair. Top-seeded Mars beat No. 8 Oakland Catholic, 23-1, and No. 4 South Fayette, 14-11, to qualify for the final round.
The three-time defending district champion Fightin’ Planets captured the Section 2-2A title this year with a 10-0 record, followed by QV at 9-1. Mars took a 19-1 record and 12-game winning streak into the WPIAL championship game; the Quakers were 16-2.
South Fayette (8-2) ended up third in the section ahead of Blackhawk (7-3), Freeport (5-5), Chartiers Valley (5-5), North Catholic (4-6), Aquinas Academy (3-7), Sewickley Academy (3-7), Knoch (1-9) and Ambridge (0-10).
Mars held 10 opponents to one goal or less and posted three shutouts, outscoring the opposition 365-60.
The Fightin’ Planets averaged 18.2 goals per game while allowing an average of just 3 goals. QV netted 16 goals per game and surrendered 6.5 goals.
The Fightin’ Planets’ only regular-season loss came at home April 11 against Olentangy Liberty, 7-6. Olentangy Liberty is located in Powell, Ohio.
QV’s two losses came against Class 3A Upper St. Clair, 13-8, and Mars, 15-3, in section play.
The Quakers won 13 of their first 14 games this season and are led by 5-foot-2 senior Lucy Roig, who has enjoyed a legendary four-year high school career.
The center midfielder is the all-time leader in goals scored with 258; she ended the regular season with 60 goals.
Roig eclipsed the school record with a seven-goal performance April 30 in a 16-4 win against Aquinas Academy. Katherine Blaugrund previously held the Quakers’ career mark with 252 goals.
“Lucy has been a force on the field since her freshman year,” Hric said. “She is also an absolute fighter. If she sets her sights on something, she is going to achieve it.
“Lucy is such a hard worker and plays with all heart and grit. When she is not scoring goals, she is dominating the draw and forcing turnovers. Her determination and drive are what sets her apart.”
Roig has been complemented offensively by senior attackers Alexa Westwood and Mia Floro and sophomore attack Kate Miller and junior attacker Anna Campbell.
The Quakers’ defense has been anchored by senior Meredith Fallgren and junior Annabel Miko in front of freshman goalie Harper Sheridan.
“We’ve rebuilt the (defensive) unit around Meredith Fallgren, Molly Millet, Charlotte Chapell and Mary Molchen, among others,” Hric said, “and we have high confidence in that group.”
Roig’s counterpart at Mars is Katie Blake, a 5-4 junior attack and the team’s leading scorer. Blake collected seven goals in the Fightin’ Planets’ playoff win against South Fayette.
Other impact players for Mars include junior midfielders Hailey Long and Lucy Balazs, freshman MF Lola Seideneck and sophomore MF Reanna Schmitt; junior attack Jenna Smith; plus seniors Anna McGrath (MF) and Tess McGrath (ATT).