It’s no secret, everyone in the county wants a pound of flesh from Manchester Valley.
Coming into the year fresh off an undefeated 2023, coach Shelly Brezicki knew that. She also knew that in order to defend her county, regional and state titles, it would take a little bit of effort from everyone.
Armed with Player of the Year Emma Penczek and junior Haylee Bittinger, the Mavericks still had several key positions to address and thanks to a schedule that included two defending state champions and two more state finalists from 2023, not a lot of time to address them.
“We knew coming into the season, there was a ton of talent graduating,” Brezicki said. “But my staff and I were confident that with the young talent and the leaders we had, we would be just fine once we caught fire.”
Brezicki leaned on veterans Penczek, Bitttinger and Sophie Baer, but also developed key underclassmen. Freshman duo Taylor Fique and Josie Colender along with sophomore Addision Meyer were among the several that stepped up and played a huge rule.
The Mavericks went on to win another county championship, once again going undefeated in the regular season, winning a second straight regional championship and introducing the county to several new Mavericks ready to make a name for themselves for years to come.
For her efforts, Manchester Valley’s Shelly Brezicki has been named girls lacrosse Coach of the Year.
“Shelly is a great coach, she cares about her athletes, she puts thought into every decision she makes, and she is one of the most knowledgeable lacrosse coaches,” Manchester Valley athletic director Elizabeth Padgett said in a statement. “ The kids always know what to expect with her and she has built and maintained a very competitive lacrosse program at Manchester Valley.”
Haylee Bittinger, Manchester Valley, junior, attack
Bittinger scored 21 goals for the Mavericks. On a team full of scoring threats, it may have been her work in the draw circle that was most valuable for the county and regional champions. The junior finished with 38 draw controls.
Kate McAlonan, Westminster, senior, attack
Committed to UMBC, McAlonan finished with 23 goals and 43 assists in her final season for the Owls.
Delaney Sandbank, Century, senior, attack
A constant scoring threat for the Knights, the senior finished with 39 goals and 33 assists. Also impressed with 40 draw controls.
Annika Wray, Liberty, senior, attack
Another UMBC-bound star, Wray did it all for the Lions, registering 47 goals, 24 assists, 46 draw controls and 24 ground balls this season.
Kourtney Goff, Liberty, junior, midfield
Goff did a little bit of everything for the Lions and she did it exceptionally well, finishing with 30 goals, 12 assists, 35 draw controls and 20 ground ball pickups.
Sara Fenwick, Gerstell Academy, junior, midfield
Fenwick led the Falcons with 37 goals on the season, also added 10 assists.
Taylor Fique, Manchester Valley, freshman, midfield
Fique made her presence felt early in her debut season with 56 goals for the Mavericks, also adding 42 draw controls and picking up 22 ground balls.
Harli Hamlett, Century, senior, midfield
A three-sport first team selection in the 2023-24 school year, Hamlett scored 20 goals and added over 40 draw controls. Hamlett finishes her senior year with lacrosse, basketball and soccer first team all-county selections.
Leah Miller, South Carroll, junior, midfield
The Maryland commit finished the season as the county’s leader with 72 goals. Miller also held down the draw circle for the regional champion Cavaliers with a whopping 102 draw controls.
Drew Watkins, Francis Scott Key, senior, midfield
After first team All-County selections in field hockey and basketball, Watkins earns a first team selection in her third sport this school year after a 41-goal, 11-assist lacrosse season for FSK.
Sydnie Bolger, Liberty, senior, defense
The Akron commit was as coach Tom Brandel’s top defender, notching 14 ground ball pickups and causing 16 turnovers this season.
Sophie Baer, Manchester Valley, junior, defense
The Jacksonville commit was a key leader on the defensive side of the ball for the Mavericks all season. Her best game came against Liberty where she caused multiple turnovers in the win that clinched Manchester Valley another county championship.
Julia Bornyek, Century, senior, defense
A fierce leader for the Knights, the York college bound Bornyek was known for doing a lot of the dirty work, evidenced by her 25 ground ball pickups.
Cailin Yankle, South Carroll, senior, defense
Yankle finds herself on the first team yet again after another impressive defensive season that saw her lead the way defensively for a regional champion South Carroll squad.
Becca Mullinix, Century, junior, goalie
Mulinix gets the nod as the county’s best goalie after posting a 57% save percentage in 2024 for the Knights.
Natalie Opatovsky, Century, attack
Maddy Smith, Liberty, attack
Marley Carfine, Century, attack
Cambrie Franks, Gerstell Academy, attack
Piper Gallagher, Gerstell Academy, attack
Natalie Burmeister, Manchester Valley, attack
Maya Trump, Manchester Valley, defense
Kate Darminio, Liberty, defense
Cathryn Yankle, South Carroll, defense
Abby Kristian, Century, defense
Charlotte Harrington, South Carroll, midfield
Madi Prietz, Century, midfield
Jordyn Ott, Liberty, midfield
Addison Meyer, Manchester Valley, midfield
Maggie Kennedy, Gerstell Academy, midfield
Carter Eberle, Gerstell Academy, midfield
Aspen Higgs, Westminster, midfield
Megan Greenwell, Manchester Valley, defense/midfield
Josie Colender, Manchester Valley, goalie
