The Paul VI girls’ lacrosse team has been strong for a number of years. The current team weighs in with an overall record of 11-3, as well as a perfect 7-0 conference record.

PVI defeated O'Connell May 8 in a semi-final matchup.The Panthers will meet Holy Cross in the championship game on May 15 at Montgomery Blair H.S. in Silver Spring. Holy Cross defeated Ireton in the other semi-final game.

The "Black and Gold," coached by Nancy Melnick (seventh season), has defeated their six league foes by a combined score of 79-44. The Panthers defeated Good Counsel 15-4, St. John’s 14-6, O'Connell 13-9, Holy Cross 12-8, Seton 13-6 and Ireton 12-11 (overtime).

Paul VI finished first in the regular season standings. Ireton, coached by Amy Mantooth, finished second. O'Connell, coached by Shannon Moore, finished fourth. PVI had a quarterfinals bye in the seven team league postseason.

Panther starters include: senior goaltender Jen Cusato, junior point Emily Noonan, senior cover point Emily Rocap, senior third man Michelle Brady, senior defensive wing Allison Phillips, freshman defensive wing Laura Noonan, senior center Lesley McDermott, senior attack wing Kathleen Tisone, junior attack wing Morgan Radice, junior third home Alexandra Velesz, junior second home Kristin Conques and senior first home Erica Davis.

Key subs include juniors Liz Beckworth and Francis McLain; sophomores Alina Borkowski, Lindsey Curtin and Erin Flynn; and freshman Maggie Bridges. The 2002 Panther captains are Rocap, Brady, Tisone and Davis.

Pacing PVI statistically are McDermott with 35 goals/15 assists, Davis with 20/15, Velesz with 25/eight. Cusato averages 10 saves per game. McDermott, Velesz or Brady have taken the majority of "draw controls" for the Panthers.

"The kids have worked hard," Melnick said. "They are focused. They're playing as a team and not as individuals."

"The team has come together this season," said Rocap. "Beating Ireton (in overtime) and beating (non-league opponent) Centreville were big wins. Our goal is to win the (WCAC) Championship this season."

PVI finished second to Good Counsel last seasons final and finished second to Holy Cross in the 1998 and 1999 finals.

The O'Connell girls’ lacrosse team has also been strong for a number of years. The current team weighs in with an overall record of 8-6, as well as a 3-3 conference record.

The "Blue and Silver," coached by Shannon Moore (eighth season), has defeated conference foes Seton 12-0, St. Johns 10-5 and Good Counsel 10-6. The Knights dropped a 8-7 decision to Ireton, a 13-9 decision to PVI and a 12-6 decision to Holy Cross.

O'Connell defeated St. John’s 8-4 on May 6 in the WCAC quarterfinals. The Knights finished fourth in the WCAC regular season standings.

Starters include sophomore goaltender Marina McCarthy, senior point Katie Aird, senior cover point Carah McMullen, senior third man Amanda Turner, senior defensive wings Cristin O'Brien and Jamie Pope, senior center Laura Renaghan, senior attack wing Haley Dunn, junior attack wing Katie Hogwood, senior third home Molly McCall, sophomore second home Tara Call and senior first home Christina Meden.

Key subs include seniors Anna Knecht and Dana Dabbenigno, juniors Carolyn Breiner, and Allie Burrow, sophomores Meaghan O'Connor, Kerry O'Keefe and Caitrin Considine, and freshman Amanda Dabbenigno. The Knight captains are Aird, Pope and Renaghan.

Pacing O'Connell statistically are Call with 30 goals/three assists, Hogwood with 19/two, McCall with 15/five and Medin with 14/two. McCarthy averages seven saves per game. Aird has 12 interceptions and Turner has 10 interceptions. Renaghan has won nearly 60 percent of the "draw controls."

"The girls have improved since the beginning of the year, but we've had trouble closing out some games in the second half," said Moore. "We are a strong team defensively, but we need to communicate better" said coach Moore."

"We have a lot of veteran players this season," said Aird, the only four-year varsity senior on the Knight’s squad. "In some games we had trouble scoring when it counted (in the second half). Our success in any given game has depended on how we play at that given moment."

O'Connell has advanced to either the WCAC semi-finals or finals during coach Moore's previous seven seasons. The Knights last won the WCAC tournament championship in May 1995.