Balanced scoring lifts Cougars
Madison Poplawski led the team with four goals. Five other players also scored.
It's as routine as fireworks on the Fourth of July.
The Springfield (Delaware Country) girls' lacrosse team is known for winning District 1 Class AA titles.
The Cougars' latest championship came last night when they defeated top-seeded Great Valley, 13-11, in the district final at Marple-Newtown's Harry R. Harvey Field.
With the win, the Cougars (19-3) captured their third consecutive and fifth district title in six seasons.
"Just being a part of all of this, it's great," Springfield midfielder Madison Poplawski said of the string of championships. "Every year when we get to this moment, we just keep winning and working hard. We know what to do."
It was evident that Poplawski knew exactly what to do as the junior scored four goals.
Poplawski's final tally turned out to be the game-winner. It gave second-seeded Springfield a 12-8 cushion with 11 minutes, 57 seconds left. Still, she wasn't the Cougars' only offensive weapon.
Samantha Tajarian (three goals), Samantha Tulskie (two), and Rebecca Hartrum (two) also shined.
"It was a great team effort," Springfield coach Keith Broome said.
Great Valley (19-4) pulled within two goals on Colleen O'Malley's score with 3:29 left.
It was as close as the Patriots got. The Cougars slowed down the tempo and played keep-away the rest of the way.
"It doesn't get any better than this," Poplawski said. "We worked hard for sixth months.
Springfield 8 5 - 13
Great Valley 6 5 - 11
Goals:
S- Madison Poplawski 4, Samantha Tajarian 3, Samantha Tulskie 2, Rebecca Hartrum 2, Aly Adams, Shannon Burns. GV-Emily Ellison 4, Kim Wenger 2, Keelin Hood 3, Haley Sheehan, Colleen O'Malley.
Saves:
S-Meghan Kearney 7. GV-Stephanie Berger 8.