Shipley boys have a full card in postseason

The Shipley boys' lacrosse team is certainly busy, playing in two postseason tournaments.

The Gators (15-3) were scheduled to play Malvern Prep on Wednesday in the second round of the Inter-Academic League Invitational, and they are to face Academy of the New Church in the Friends Schools League championship game Friday.

Coach Mark Duncan's squad boasts three 50-point scorers, led by Rutgers-bound Julius Mouser. Mouser had 64 goals and 26 assists for 90 points entering the game against Malvern. Mouser broke his own school record of 55 goals in a season, set last year. His nine goals in a 16-3 victory over Westtown on Tuesday in the Friends League playoffs also established a school mark for goals in a game.

Mouser has received plenty of offensive help from juniors Mike Litner and Mike Gallagher. Litner had registered 52 goals and 37 assists, and Gallagher had collected 33 goals and 21 assists.

Duncan said Mouser, because of his reputation, is often triple- and quadruple-teamed but still manages to score.

"There's no secret," Mouser said. "I try to relax before the game, study the defense, and then use tactics to get around it.

"I try to make use of my speed. I also know that some of my teammates should be open if there are so many defenders on me."

End of frustration? The last two seasons, the North Penn girls have advanced to the PIAA playoffs only to lose to eventual state champion Radnor in the opening round.

The eighth-seeded Maidens, who won their District 1 playoff opener by beating West Chester East on Tuesday, would like to change that picture this time.

As the eighth seed in the district tourney - only seven district teams advance to the state playoffs - the Maidens know they have their work cut out. North Penn has made the district playoffs all nine years that Jami Wilus, a 1998 graduate of the school, has been the coach.

"It's been very frustrating the past two years," said North Penn's Macie Hauck, a senior who has been instrumental in leading the attack with 74 goals and 24 assists. "We'll have to play tough defense, and I think we can."

On offense, the Maidens are led by the trio of Hauck, Brenda McDermott (61 goals, 28 assists), and Rachel Shaw (55, 22). Sophomore Jenna Stover is the Maidens goalie. Freshmen Kaitlin Suzuki and Tara Rogers have been big contributors in the middle.

Sibling inspiration. Greg Merrill said he was motivated by his older brothers after scoring four goals Tuesday in Great Valley's 17-5 District 1 playoff win over Strath Haven, and becoming only the fourth player in school history to reach 50 goals in a season.

A freshman, he finished the game with 53 goals.

Two of the other players to reach the 50-goal level were his brothers, Brett and Jeff.

The Patriots, who will face Abington on Thursday in the second round, are 14-4.

"I wasn't expecting this," Greg Merrill said of his rookie accomplishment. "It was a big win for us, and our offense came from our captains Dan Buchholz and Eric Gartner."

Great Valley coach Tony Verna said the three brothers were different as players. He described Brett Merrill as one who dodged defenders and Jeff Merrill as a "slasher."

"Greg can do it all - he's the total package," Verna said. "He has speed, and he's only 5-feet-6."