Shady Side Academy girls lacrosse looks to Phillips

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, April 14, 2018 | 12:06 AM

The Shady Side Academy girls lacrosse team finished with a 13-4 record last year that included a trip to the WPIAL playoffs, where they lost in the first round to North Allegheny.

First-year coach Katy Phillips believes the Indians will have another strong season.

“The program that I inherited was already strong on and off the field,” Phillips said. “We will work to preserve the traditions that are important to our team and to create new traditions as we grow. Our philosophy this year is 33-strong, working to ensure that every player in our program has a role to fulfill to get us to our goals.

“We are well-balanced on both sides of the ball, with a strong presence in the net, a talented core of returning upperclassman with experience and hunger to go far in the playoffs. We also have a great class of freshman to add to the depth.”

The Indians return eight starters from last year: Emmie Lau (midfield, junior,captain), Abby Todd (midfield, junior,captain), Riley DiFiore (goalie, senior,captain), Eliza Fisher (defender, senior,captain), Elizabeth Walsh (attack, senior), Josie Szlachetka (midfield, junior), Coco Redican (attack, sophomore) and Eliza Worrall (defender, senior).

Promising freshmen expected to contribute are Claire Taylor (attack) and Cat Johnson (midfield).

Phillips believes Fox Chapel will be the team to beat in the section but is optimistic about SSA.

“I believe that we are looking at a strong 2018 season,” Phillips said. “We are using each game to make changes and improvements to our strategies all over the field.”

Marty Stewart is a freelance writer.

Tags: Shady Side Academy