Sewickley Academy girls lacrosse celebrates sophomore’s milestone, playoff berth

By: Ray Fisher
Sunday, May 18, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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The Sewickley Academy girls lacrosse team had a busy final week of the regular season, playing four games in five days.

The Panthers went 3-1, which included an impressive 7-5 upset victory against Moon and an exciting 9-7 win against North Hills during which sophomore midfielder Emma Eannarino scored her 100th career goal.

Eannarino needed one goal against North Hills to reach the century mark and ended up with four in the game.

“I’m super excited to have scored my 100th career goal,” Eannarino said. “Coming into this season, I didn’t expect to be able to achieve this milestone during my second year of varsity lacrosse. I just knew that I wanted to reach it faster than my sister (Libby) had.

“I’m so grateful for my teammates and coaches who helped me get to this point this season. I’m also thankful for my parents, who are so supportive of my accomplishments (and always quick to bring balloons to celebrate them).”

Sewickley coach Mike Scerbo was not surprised by Eannarino’s feat.

“To hit the 100-goal milestone so early in her career is an amazing accomplishment,” Scerbo said, “but it is not surprising given her talent and work ethic. Emma never takes a play off, never takes a rep off, never gives less than her full effort.

“Her natural competitive drive is what allows her to excel in all aspects of the game. We are very fortunate to have her wearing the red and black.”

Sewickley qualified for the WPIAL Class 2A playoffs with a 9-5 record, landing the No. 11 seed and a first-round matchup with No. 6 South Fayette. The Panthers lost to South Fayette, 22-9, in early April.

“We are extremely excited to be back in the WPIAL playoffs,” Scerbo said. “The team got better each week, and we are playing a much higher level than we were in March. With nonsection wins over (2A) Franklin Regional and (3A) Moon, we thought we might get a higher seed than 11.”

Pitted against the powerful Lions, Sewickley Academy suffered a 21-4 setback May 12 to see its season end.

Prior to the playoffs, Eannarino led the team in goals and points with 65 goals and nine assists. She said she didn’t get overly emotional after scoring her 100th career goal.

“My teammates might’ve been more excited than I was,” Eannarino said. “I was hugged so many times, and we had a lot of postgame fun. I was just happy to have reached my goal.”

Eannarino was complemented offensively this season by senior attacker Lauren Retzlaff with 31 goals and seven assists and sophomore midfielder Grace Jardini with 23 goals and nine assists.

Sophomore goalie Sofia DiCicco accounted for 117 saves on 247 shots during the regular season.

Sewickley finished sixth in Section 2-2A with a 5-5 record behind Mars (10-0), Chartiers Valley (9-1), Blackhawk (8-2), South Fayette (7-3) and Quaker Valley (6-4).

“Regardless of the outcome, the whole team has improved so much this season and I’m really proud of how far we’ve come,” Eannarino said.

The Panthers won six of their final seven regular-season games, defeating Seneca Valley, Freeport, Knoch, Ambridge, Moon and North Hills.

Tags: Sewickley Academy