In what can perhaps best be described as the David and Goliath matchup of Pennsylvania girls lacrosse, Twin Valley will again meet Archbishop Carroll for the PIAA Class 2A girls lacrosse title Saturday at Panzer Stadium at Penn State at 10 a.m. The Raiders (21-6), the three-time reigning District 3 champions, have fallen to the Patriots, the District 12 champion and three-time reigning state champions, in the final in each of the past two seasons.
And three years ago, Archbishop Carroll bested Twin Valley in the state semifinals. The Patriots (20-2) have won 23 straight Philadelphia Catholic League titles, while the Raiders have become a local dynasty in their own right, having won three of the last four BCIAA titles. “It’s really exciting to go (to the state final) again,” Twin Valley senior defender Chelsea Hurley said.
“It’s hard to go there one time, let alone we’ve had the opportunity to go three times. “We’ve had such great leadership above us and I’m so glad that we are able to be leaders this year.” And while the numbers and history seem to favor Archbishop Carroll, the Raiders are embracing their role heading into Saturday, as they have done throughout the state tournament.
Twin Valley defeated Villa Maria Academy 10-9 in redemptive fashion on Tuesday in the PIAA semifinals after falling to the Hurricanes 9-8 in the regular season. “We lost to Villa this year and so I think that there was that (underdog) mentality,” Raiders head coach Courtney.