Players to Watch: PIAA District 1 3A Finals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year's state runner up Springfield Township will have a battle with Radnor in the boys final in a 1 vs 2 match-up at Norristown High School at 7 p.m. But first two girls teams that weren't expected to be in the final will play at five as fourth seed Strath Haven takes on 11 seed Villa Maria Academy in the girls final at 5 p.m.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Strath Haven upset top seed Villa Joseph Marie and Villa Maria Academy beat third see Radnor to book the two state tournament berths and set up an intriguing final.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below is a look at players to watch on all four teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Strath Haven Girls</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior goalkeeper <strong>Laura Shea</strong> (FC Delco) has been outstanding for the Panthers in their run to the district final, especially against top seed Villa Joseph Marie, which flooded her with chances. The Vassar-bound keeper's shot stopping ability and leadership will be key.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior striker <strong>Annie Dignazio</strong> (1776 United) will test the Villa Maria Academy defense with her pace. The Brown lacrosse commit's athleticism makes her a difficult mark and a frequent weapon to spring attacks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While Strath Haven's core is made up of seniors a promising first-year player in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='153246' first='Ava' last='Hurwitz']</strong> (FC Delco) has stood out with her pace, technical ability and attacking qualities. She'll be one to watch not only in the district final and the state tournament but in seasons to come. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior center back <strong>Elise Molloy</strong> (Steel United PA) is a stalwart defender in the back who has a powerful shot and can score from long range as she did against Avon Grove earlier this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Villa Maria Academy</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Villa Maria has a young prospect of their own in first-year midfielder <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110962' first='Olivia' last='Cellini']</strong> (Penn Fusion) who has been part of the Hurricanes' unlikely run as an 11 seed to the district final. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior <strong>Carly Catania</strong>, a basketball commit to St. Bonaventure, has been leading the Hurricanes' line all season and is their biggest threat to get one past Laura Shea. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior <strong>Olivia Caruso</strong> (Penn Fusion) is another technical player who can do damage in the attack for the Hurricanes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior defender <strong>Margaret Flick</strong> provides leadership and stability in the back. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Springfield Township Boys</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Springfield senior forward/midfielder <strong>Riley Martin</strong> (Hex FC) is the engine that drives the Spartans forward. His ability to hold the ball, set up teammates, finish and lead on and off the field is massive. One of the top high school players in the state for the second year in a row, Martin is headed to Lafayette next year and will want to arrive on campus with more hardware. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior midfielder <strong>Nick Hanushchak</strong> (Philadelphia SC) does a lot of work that doesn't show up in the scoresheet for the Spartans whether that's winning 50-50 balls and springing counter attacks, finding attackers with a through ball or creating chances off set pieces he's a player you have to find a way to limit. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior midfielder <strong>Nick Marino</strong> (Vereinigung Erzgebirge) has stepped up this year with his attacking play and is an important player both with his ability to test opponents defensively but in his pressing and defensive work as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Radnor Boys</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Radnor is so dangerous on set pieces it's not even funny. Senior Division 1 lacrosse commits <strong>Nate Lucchesi</strong> (UPenn) and <strong>Michael Savadore</strong> (Harvard) are a big reason for that. Their size, strength and athleticism is a problem to try and counterbalance. Lucchesi is good in the air and underrated as a finisher and Savadore is a brick wall in the back with a dangerous long throw. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Raptors aren't just big and physical though. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior midfielder <strong>Brayan Lopez</strong> (pictured above) is a skillful and strong playmaker in the middle of the park, junior midfielder/winger <strong>Andrew Marino</strong> (FC Delco) is shifty and technical and juniors Matt Santerian (Radnor SC) and Commerce Fisk (Radnor SC) do a little bit of everything that's asked of them by coach Joe Caruolo. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a group they might not have a lot of top soccer prospects but they are a team that is bought into the system and has a competitive edge that comes from multi-sport athletes (and state champion lacrosse players) scrapping out wins. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->