Norwin girls continue learning process in return to lacrosse playoffs

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, May 18, 2018 | 11:00 PM

Returning to the postseason was a goal for the Norwin girls lacrosse team.

Last year was the program's first in the WPIAL, and the Knights reached the Class AAA playoffs. However, with 10 players gone to graduation, first-year coach Drew Polczynski knew the trip back to the postseason would be difficult.

Norwin achieved it, though, as the squad qualified for the playoffs, but fell to Upper St. Clair in the first round and finished with a 7-9 record.

“At the beginning of the year, I said I wasn't going to measure the season in wins and losses, but by how much they improved. They've come a long way since the beginning of the year,” he said. “Half of our team probably never picked up a lacrosse stick until last winter. It was important to encourage them and they really responded.

“At the beginning of the year, I don't think we could catch 10 passes in a row. By the end, we were doing it with both hands and cradling with both hands. I am definitely calling this season a success with the way they followed the system and showed great teamwork. They did great.”

The fundamental work was important for a squad that graduates just two seniors in Maura Gabauer and Magen Polczynski. Norwin welcomes back nine juniors, 12 sophomores and 12 freshmen.

“It's really interesting because we won't have to start from scratch next year. With so many coming back, I won't have to teach a basic system, and we can work on a lot of those little things,” Drew Polczynski said. “We made adjustments the whole season, but, next year, we'll get to work on really fine-tuning things.”

Norwin overcame a 1-4 start to earn a playoff spot. At one point, the Knights won four of five and finished the regular season with two wins in a row, including an 11-10 victory over Latrobe to remain in postseason contention.

“I told them that our first playoff game was that Latrobe game because they had to win it in order to have a chance. They took that to heart, and they didn't want their season to end. They elevated their game a little bit,” Drew Polczynski said. “We were just hoping to make the playoffs, but to go in with a couple wins in a row was nice for our confidence. Any sport you're going to play, there's nothing like playing a playoff game. Everyone realizes it could be their last game of the year. It was important for these younger players to experience that.”

While the team was young this year, the Knights could see even more new faces next season.

“It's great. Norwin has a lacrosse club that started up a couple years ago. They played a home game at our stadium, and I watched a bunch of middle schoolers play. It's great because we won't have kids starting with no experience. With that program growing, that's what will allow us to be able to compete with the Shady Sides, Fox Chapels and Indianas,” Drew Polczynski said. “Brandon Schultz runs the youth program, and the effort he puts in will pay dividends for the varsity program for years to come.”

Norwin received offensive contributions from a number of players. In the Knights' crucial 11-10 win over Latrobe, Magen Polczynski scored three times and juniors Kate Donofrio, Maura Columbus and Riley Miller all had a pair of goals. In a 12-8 win over Penn-Trafford to close the regular season, junior Maddie Roth led Norwin with three goals. Jackie Caputo, Columbus, Polczynski and Miller all had two goals.

“The girls bought into the team concept. We'll have a leading scorer, but it's not a dominant person that you just let go to score every goal,” Drew Polczynski said. “We preach keeping the field balanced. We want to penetrate to the middle and pass the ball out when we're double teamed because that means someone else is open. We have a bunch of kids get on the scoreboard every game. It's just been a positive experience all the way around. We don't have any attitude problems. The parents are supportive with everything we're trying to do. The players recognize it's what is best for the team. That's why I consider the season a success.”

Joe Sager is a freelance writer.

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