D2 GIRLS LACROSSE: Young core powers Crestwood’s playoff hopes

Crestwoods Jackie Gallagher (3) looks to pass against Wyoming Area in a girls lacrosse game in Wright Twp.

on Thursday, April 17, 2025.

BILL TARUTIS / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERVeteran leadership is often cited as a critical fixture, but Crestwood could be poised to flip that notion on its head in the District 2 Class 2A tournament.Youth has been no barrier to entry for many of the Comets biggest contributors.Goal-scoring aficionado Gia Caporuscio, attackers Jackie Gallagher and Addison Knorr and goalie Lexi Zabroski are sophomores, as eight of the Comets 12 starters are underclassmen.A junior and three seniors round out the starting lineup, but Hannah Ziegler, Ella Novelli and Kate Gallagher are the only seniors on the roster.It doesnt matter what grade you are, if you have the confidence in your abilities and you understand the game.

It doesnt matter what age you are, youre going to have that leadership, Crestwood assistant coach Aaron Caporusico said.As the Comets primary scoring option all season, Gia Caporuscio epitomizes her fathers words.A lacrosse player since first grade, Gia Caporuscio grew up learning from her siblings both of whom played for Crestwood and continued their careers in college.

Her brother, Anthony, was a multi-time Citizens Voice Boys Player of the Year and her sister, Isabella, was a three-year captain and 2023 Citizens Voice Female Athlete of the Year.Thats just kind of fueled me.

A lot of backyard games and wanting to play and get up to that level, Gia Caporuscio said.

Ive definitely had names to live up to, but Ive just always tried to play my own game and get better as an individual.As the district tournament ramps up, Gia Caporuscio may just be the next member of her family to lift Crestwood.Jackie Gallagher similarly established herself as another formidable attacker.In a 19-11 win against North Pocono earlier this month, Gallagher scored her 100th career goal, despite Crestwoods run to the PIAA Class 5A girls basketball semifinals conflicting with the start of the lacrosse season.We missed her for the first couple weeks this season because of that, Aaron Caporuscio said.

Being a couple of weeks behind, it does catch up with you.

Having her get back to her playing form is super important, because shes an integral part of the team.With a couple months of lacrosse under her belt, Jackie Gallagher is back in the swing of things.

The Crestwood sophomores presence also takes pressure off her other attacking teammates.Youre underestimated a bit because youre an underclassman, Jackie Gallagher said.

But, once youre out there, its no different.

Age doesnt matter.Even with the underclassmens success, no one overlooks the contributions of their senior counterparts.I give a lot of credit to the older girls, because they like to hear what we have to say, as well, Gia Caporuscio said.

I think thats huge, because theres this stereotype of older girls wanting to take the lead.

But, theyre really cool about wanting to hear what we have to say.They just want to learn more, as well.

They learn from us and we learn from them.Theres no hierarchy on the team.

Thats the way we kind of try to keep it.

Everybody has to buy into their role and everything they do, Aaron Caporuscio added.

When you do that, hopefully youve got 12 leaders on the field at one time.The team camaraderie will be a necessary edge as Crestwood aims to avenge last years loss in the district championship final.After earning the No.

1 seed in the regular season, the Comets lost to Abington Heights, 10-8, finished as the Class 2A runner-up and did not qualify for the PIAA tournament.This years bracket could set up a rematch in the district final.We would love to get back to the district championship and get a win, Jackie Gallagher said.

It just goes back to playing our game, staying focused and staying confident in each other.First, Crestwood will have to take care of business when it hosts No.

7 Scranton Prep (9-7) in the quarterfinals Thursday at 5 p.m.The two teams faced off in the final game of the regular season, with Crestwood winning, 23-5.The Crestwood/Scranton Prep winner will play No.

3 Wyoming Seminary (13-3) or No.

6 Lake-Lehman (11-6), a quarterfinal matchup that was scheduled for Wednesday.Elsewhere in Class 2A, defending champion and top seed Abington Heights (17-0) hosts No.

8 Holy Redeemer (9-8) on Thursday at 5 p.m.Abington Heights defeated Holy Redeemer, 18-4, in the final game of the regular season.No.

5 Wyoming Area (8-5) travels to No.

4 North Pocono on Thursday at 5 p.m.

in the other quarterfinal matchup.In March, North Pocono topped Wyoming Area, 14-3.Class 2A BoysIn the Class 2A boys bracket, the top two finishers will qualify for the state tournament.No.

4 Wyoming Seminary (9-7) was scheduled to host No.

5 Dallas (8-9) in the quarterfinals Wednesday.Earlier this season, Wyoming Seminary defeated Dallas, 12-6, and the Blue Knights also won last seasons district quarterfinal match between the two teams.Top-seeded Scranton Prep (16-2) will host No.

8 North Pocono (5-12) in the quarterfinal round Thursday at 5 p.m.Reigning district champion Scranton Prep beat North Pocono, 15-1, in the second game of the year.On the other side of the bracket, No.

6 Lake-Lehman (8-9) travels to No.

3 Crestwood (12-6) on Thursday at 5:15 p.m.Crestwood defeated Lake-Lehman, 13-2, in April.

The Comets only in-class loss this season came against Scranton Prep, which they can only face in the district final.Rounding out the tournament, No.

2 seed Abington Heights (13-5) hosts No.

7 Holy Redeemer (6-12) on Thursday at 7 p.m.When the two teams met in April, Abington Heights won, 18-4..

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