Quick Stats

• Sport: Girls Varsity Lacrosse

• Coach: Angie Yanocha

• Key Players: Mackenzie Davis, Chloe Wardlow, Gabby Callison

• New Faces: Elise Baker

• Games to Watch: Phoenixville 4/6 & Upper Perkiomen 4/30

Get excited because our Upper Merion Girls Lacrosse team is back and better than ever! For those of you who have not been keeping up with this powerhouse team, they are coming back from an electric past season in which they earned the title of PAC Frontier Champs and had seven players honored with PAC All Frontier Team distinctions. The team hopes to replicate this success and make it to the PAC Finals game, after getting knocked out in the semi-final game by Spring-Ford last year. We are looking at a team that is fueled by this loss. They got a taste of what could be, and now it is time to set things right. 

The practice atmosphere is determined and focused. The Lady Vikings have an experienced and senior-heavy squad that only lost two seniors last year. Most of the team is returning and they want to go a step farther than last season. Despite the weather related struggles that the team had to deal with during preseason, they came back fierce and ready to work. The team chemistry that has developed over these past few years amongst these girls will prove to be their greatest asset, giving them an edge over their competitors who are forced to rebuild this season. While the loss of former captains Kallie Fanning and Elisa Dougherty will surely be felt, these girls have proven they are more than ready to pick up right where they left off. 

I have no doubt this team is ready to hit the ground running after quite an off-season grind. Fielding two full teams, this group of girls dedicated their Sunday mornings during the off season to both a fall league and two sessions of the indoor league at YSC sports. During a typical out of season school week, players attended biweekly cross training sessions filled with cardio and strength training with a Function and Strength coach. Alternatively, many of those who could not attend these workouts were engaged with our wrestling, basketball, swimming, indoor track, and bocce teams. Either way, the team already is at a great fitness level and they’re ready to go.

Let’s dive a little deeper into the players that make up this killer team. The Vikings will be led by senior captains Mackenzie Davis and Chloe Wardlow, two midfielders and 4 year varsity players who consistently stand out for their skill level, speed, and overall determination. Including this dynamic duo, the team has three committed athletes: Chloe Wardlow for Lafayette College, Mackenzie Davis for Palm Beach Atlantic University, and Jessica Reinhardt for Nova Southeastern University. Additionally, Gabby Callison, a junior and the team’s go-to draw taker, is sure to be one to watch this season. She had a fantastic debut last season following an injury that kept her off the field freshman year. Speaking of ones to watch, keep an eye out for freshman defender Elise Baker. Baker is the only freshman to make Varsity and will likely see a starting role this season as a high-defender.

As made evident by the stand out players highlighted above, this team’s backbone is sure to be their midfield. Expect to see a team known for their high speed transition along with a high-scoring offense. Their dynamic defense will need to support the momentum coming from the midfield by coming up with key ground balls and limiting turnovers. 

An athlete I spoke to this week described this team as “disciplined, synergistic, and goal-oriented.” I find it incredibly telling that this quote was taken from someone who just joined the team this year. In only a few weeks, it was made clear to her which qualities are going to allow this team to thrive. This “synergy” seems to stem from both the experience of the players together and the program’s commitment to team dinners, Panera trips, and their Big Sister/Little Sister program. These girls are unafraid to call each other out when they must, but still know when to offer a word of support.

Coach Yanocha seems to share my confidence in this team’s potential, stating in an interview that “We have an exciting mix of experience and new talent. With 8 seniors leading the way, 3 players already committed to play in college, and a couple newcomers stepping into varsity roles, every game will be fast-paced, competitive, and fun to watch.” 

Beyond their fight to make it to the PAC finals, this team has other aspirations. By the time the postseason arrives, Coach Yanocha hopes to build a strong team culture centered around trust, accountability, and support for one another. Her priority is for these players to understand that success comes from working together, communicating, and putting the team first. A “must-see” game is going to be their match up against Phoenixville on April 6th. Although it will be a non-league game this year, these two teams have historically had incredibly competitive- at times to a fault- games. Make sure to come out and support our girls in an exciting home opener against Harriton this Friday, March 13th at 3:45pm on the upper turf! Let’s start this season with a bang. #UMGLAX #SOTT