Quaker Valley girls lacrosse goalkeeper stacks save after save

By: Ray Fisher
Sunday, May 12, 2024 | 11:01 AM

Previous Next

Emily Reiner racked up her 400th career save for the Quaker Valley girls lacrosse team May 6 against Knoch.

The Quakers defeated Knoch at home by a score of 15-4 thanks in large part to Reiner, a 6-foot-1 junior and intimidating presence in front of the net.

“Emily is an incredible goalkeeper,” QV coach Laura Peery said. “She is patient, calm and has amazing reaction skills. She is extremely tough and always remains composed under pressure.

“She made four big saves against Knoch to tally her 400th career save.”

Reiner made it a personal goal to reach the career milestone once she realized it could be possible this season.

“Attaining 400 career saves is incredible,” Reiner said. “When I started playing goalie, I never even thought about having that many. Since the start of the season, I’ve had my eye on reaching 400. I knew I would have to work extra hard to get there, so that is what I did. Thanks to my coaches and teammates who have helped me tremendously, I was able to reach the milestone of 400 saves this season.”

Reiner’s milestone was announced over the public address system to the QV fans in attendance.

“I honestly wasn’t sure which save it would be,” Reiner said. “I get so immersed in the game that I stop keeping track. I just focus on the next shot I have to save.

“Going into the game, I knew I was close to 400, but during the game, I didn’t keep track of how many I had saved already. I was so happy when they announced I had made my 400th save. All I could focus on was my teammates cheering and celebrating for me on the sideline and on the field. It was amazing how happy they were for me.”

Reiner is a third-year starter for the Quakers. She accounted for 114 saves in 2022, 181 in 2023 when QV advanced to the state playoffs and 105 so far this season.

“I am truly grateful to have the support of my parents, coaches and teammates that push me to get better and support me throughout the season,” Reiner said. “They always help me achieve my goals on and off the field.”

Reiner, who has added three inches to her height since her freshman year, owns four career shutouts in lacrosse and has been named a MaxPreps Lacrosse Player of the Game four times.

“Emily really helps to keep our defense focused and mentally in the game,” Peery said. “She has been a leader in the goal cage the past three years and a difference-maker in games. She’s had one shutout this season and had the most saves of her career in a game with 23 in our game (April 24) against Mars.”

Reiner is one of five co-captains on the girls lacrosse team this year and is the only junior among the five.

“Emily’s teammates really look up to her,” Peery said. “She is outstanding in net, and we are so lucky to have her for one more year.”

The Quakers were led offensively against Knoch by sophomore midfielder Lucy Roig and senior attacker Taylor Cupelli with four goals apiece in the Section 2-A game.

It also was the Quakers’ senior recognition game for 2024 as Sydney Hewitt (MF/ATT), Kendell Foster (ATT) and Cupelli were applauded for their efforts as lacrosse players. The three seniors along with Reiner and Roig have served as captains this season.

In other action, QV defeated North Allegheny, 8-5, on May 3 as Roig scored four times. Hewitt and sophomore midfielder Alexa Westwood tacked on two goals apiece.

Reiner and Hewitt also competed in the 2024 USA Hockey national championships in April.

Reiner, Hewitt, freshman Isabel King and seventh-grader Grace Keisel competed with their Steel City Selects girls hockey team as MidAm champions in their respective age divisions.

Reiner enjoyed a career year for the SCS 16U team that advanced to the national tournament in Green Bay, Wisc., generating 90 points from her center position with 56 goals and 34 assists.

“My team was filled with hard-working and skilled players and just all-around great people,” Reiner said. “For me, it was the most successful season in my career so far.”

Reiner netted the game-winning OT goal that won the MidAm regional tournament and sent the SCS team to nationals.

“It was incredible,” she said. “It was such a big accomplishment beating our hometown rival, the South Pittsburgh Rebellion, 2-1, to win the championship.”

Hewitt traveled with Steel City Selects to East Lansing, Mich., for the 19U national tournament.

King competed as a forward for the SCS14U team at the national tournament in Sioux Falls, S.D. She is a midfielder in lacrosse.

Keisel also skated on the 14U team. She plays defense in lacrosse and competes in QV volleyball in the fall season.

Tags: Quaker Valley