The 2008 college lacrosse season was quite a successful one for many local schools. Conference titles, playoff berths and national championships made their way to several teams from the Philadelphia area. But only five select schools get to be listed in this final poll so, following lots of review, here are the Lax Philly Top Five local Men's and Women's lacrosse teams for 2008 starting with:
5. Haverford (Men's Division III, final record 11-5)
For the Fords, easily their most successful season of lacrosse, one which culminated in their first ever berth in the NCAA Division III tournament. Despite falling in the second round to their neighbors at Cabrini, coach Mike Murphy's squad made plenty of noise in the always competitive Centennial Conference and will look to make even more in coming seasons with a number of top players to return. Among those to be back in 2009 will be leading goal scorer Brian Fleishhacker (46 in 2008) and point leader Max Hjelm (63 points as a freshman). One area of concern for 2009 will be in goal as Haverford loses Jake Mendlinger (8.69 GAA) to graduation.
4. Cabrini (Men's Division III, final record 17-3)
The Cavaliers wrapped up their eighth consecutive in the former Pennsylvania Athletic Conference and advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA tourney before falling to the eventual D-III champs from Salisbury. Steve Colfer's team will look to move even further next season with a talented group of returnees. Among those who will be back in 2009 will be Scott Reimer, who led Cabrini with 68 goals and 74 points as a junior, Casey Grugan (45 goals, 70 points) and goalies Bobby Chambers (5.96) and Kevin Chenoweth (6.35).
3. Drexel (Men's Division I, final record 13-4)
The only team in the final five that did not make the NCAA tournament, though many would argue that Chris Bates's squad was more than deserving of an at-large bid in 2008. That could come in 2009 though the biggest piece of the Drexel turnaround has graduated. Bates will need to find a goalie to replace three year starter Bruce Bickford, who once again was the name most spoken of when talking Drexel lax, finishing the season with a 6.99 GAA that led the Colonial Athletic Association. Whoever does earn the Dragons starting keeper job will have plenty of experience in front of him with returning longpoles Matt McCormick (First Team all-CAA) and Brendan Baker. Returning on offense will be leading scorers Colin Ambler (42 points) and Andrew Chapman (39 goals).
2. Penn (Women's Division I, final record 17-2)
After avenging their loss to Northwestern in the 2007 NCAA Semifinals, Karin Brower's Quakers reached the final this year and faced the Wildcats for the third time in a year. Though the final game though didn't go as well as their upset victory on April 27 it was still an impressive followup season for Penn. Sarah Waxman was impressive yet again in the Quakers net, earning first team All-America status along with teammate Rachel Manson. While both will not be back in 2009, returnees Ali DeLuca (26 goals, 40 points) and Guilia Giordano (20 goals as a freshman) on offense and Hilary Renna and Katie Mazer on defense will help ease the transition for Waxman's replacement.
1. West Chester (Women's Division II, final record 20-1, NCAA D-II National Champions)
After losing the last four D-II title games, the Golden Rams and coach Ginny Martino finally returned to the top of Division II women's lacrosse with their victory over C.W. Post on May 17. To get to the final, Martino's squad avenged their lone defeat of the 2008 season when they easily dispatched Limestone College, who defeated the Rams by a goal in West Chester's season opener. After yet another Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference title (their fifth straight), the Rams earned many post season accolades, including Coach of the Year for Martino, and Player of the Year (PSAC and ECAC) for Stephanie Kienle. Kienle led the NCAA in scoring setting NCAA records in assists with 78 and points with 143 for single season marks, along with an all time mark of 389 points for her four year collegiate career. Kienle is the lone senior leaving, putting the program in good hands with Jackie Baker returning for her senior season, after posting 89 goals in 2008, as well as fellow All Americans Katy Crouse, Courtney Whiting and goalie Mary Beth Green. A second straight title could easily be headed to West Chester in 2009.
And with all of that the coverage for the 2008 season now concludes. With all that occurred in 2008, excitement is already here for 2009. Who will be the area's top players and teams next year? Be sure to look for the 2009 preview probably in February as well get to se who will be next year's candidates for the Lax Philly Local Five. To those who followed all season, hopefully you enjoyed the local coverage and will be back in 2009 to see who's on top in local NCAA college lacrosse. See you in the spring!
