Meet the local women’s lacrosse standouts chasing an NCAA championship this week

Mid-May means lacrosse championships are on the horizon.

It all begins this week with the men’s and women’s NCAA semifinals and championships. The women are up first on Friday at the WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C., as Florida takes on Northwestern and Syracuse battles Boston College.

There are several stars from our area on each team looking to reach Sunday’s championship game (noon, NCAA.com). In all, 14 local players are vying to be crowned champions, with six of them on the Gators roster.

From former high school All-Americans to program record holders, here’s a look at the players representing the Philadelphia region on the biggest stage in women’s college lacrosse.

Hannah Gillespie, graduate defender

Newtown Square, Academy of Notre Dame de Namur

This will be Gillespie’s final year with the Wildcats, but she’s hoping for her second trip to the NCAA championship with the defending champions. Gillespie is a two-time member of the Big Ten’s all-academic team. According to her bio, Gillespie, who was born in Bryn Mawr, chose Northwestern over Penn and St. Joseph’s.

Alexis Ventresca, freshman midfielder

Blue Bell, Episcopal Academy

The first-year midfielder has two goals this season. They came on just two shots in a March win against Central Michigan.

Maria Pansini, graduate defender

Villanova, Agnes Irwin

Pansini is a transfer from Princeton, where she spent five seasons and was an All-Ivy League selection. At Florida, she started 21 games this season and helped the Gators to a 20-2 record and a trip to the NCAA semifinals.

Gabbi Koury, freshman midfield

Birchrunville, Pa., Owen J. Roberts

Koury also played in every match this season, scoring six goals and adding five assists. The two-time high school U.S. Lacrosse All-American has totaled at least one point in five of the Gators’ last seven games.

Emily Lortz, senior defense

Malvern, Conestoga

Lortz was a three-sport athlete at Conestoga who participated in basketball and cross-country. She played 13 games this season and is one of Florida’s two nominees for the Southeastern Conference’s scholar-athlete of the year award.

Gianna Monaco, sophomore attack

Mount Laurel, Lenape H.S.

Monaco is having a career season with the Gators, with 29 goals in just 18 games. Nine of those goals have been hat-trick performances. Not bad for this 2021 U.S. Lacrosse high school All-American.

Carly Wilson, sophomore midfield

Villanova, Agnes Irwin

This high school All-American appeared in 12 games scored her first collegiate goal this season in a March win over San Diego State.

Sydney Wilson, sophomore midfield

Villanova, Agnes Irwin

Wilson, a high school All-American and first-team All-Inter-Ac selection who also attended Radnor High School, found minutes in 11 games this season. Her twin sister is Carly Wilson.

Rachel Clark, junior attack

Devon, Conestoga

Clark transferred this season from Virginia, where she led the team with 63 goals and 76 points, good for third-best in the ACC. She is a two-time U.S. Lacrosse All-American and was ranked as one of the country’s top 10 high school players in 2021. Clark has played in 20 games for the Eagles (18-3) and has 71 goals and 89 points this season.

Becky Browndorf, graduate defense

Dresher, Upper Dublin

Browndorf transferred from Florida after a four-year career with the Gators, which was capped by third-team All-American honors. As a high schooler, she was invited to try out for the U.S. under-19 women’s lacrosse team. This season, she’s started all 21 games for Boston College.

Delaney Sweitzer, graduate goalie

Hatfield, Chestnut Hill Academy

Sweitzer truly is the last line of defense, and it shows. The 2023 ACC goalkeeper of the year had 132 saves and led the Orange to a 16-5 record this season. Her twin sister, Savannah, a graduate midfielder, also is on the team.

Savannah Sweitzer, graduate midfielder

Hatfield, Chestnut Hill Academy

Sweitzer has been a consummate points-getter for the Orange. She has a career-high 33 points this season with 24 goals and nine assists. She was a transfer from Southern Cal in 2021, after scoring six times in just 11 games for the Trojans.

Julia Basciano, junior midfielder

Glenmoore, Archbishop Carroll

Basciano’s minutes were limited this season, but she’s in her third year with the program. In high school, the National Honor Society member led Carroll to a state title in her senior year.

Alexa Vogelman, freshman midfielder

Chester Springs, Owen J. Roberts

The 5-foot-4 Vogelman is the second Owen J. Roberts grad to find herself participating in this final weekend. Remember Florida frosh Gabbi Koury?