UPPER DUBLIN – Last year, the Upper Dublin girls lacrosse team narrowly lost to Upper Moreland.
Monday afternoon, in another close match with the Golden Bears, the Cardinals ensured a different result this time.
“During the last timeout, our senior Paige (Dinkel) stopped us and said we were in the same position last year but we’re determined to have a different result,” UD junior Anna DiMartile said. “And that really uplifted everyone and we gave our all until the end, which was very special.”
In a crucial game in the race for the SOL American Conference title, DiMartile broke a 5-5 tie with 6:33 remaining in the fourth quarter, while Dinkel scored twice in a 63-second span to increase Upper Dublin’s late lead to three. The Cardinals held on to win 8-6 against visiting Upper Moreland.
“It was their composure at the end of the game and not giving up the ball and simply believing,” UD coach Dee Cross said. “And we challenged them during the timeout, ‘Do you believe you can do this?’ And Paige, as a senior, spoke up and it really resonated with the girls and they got motivated.”
Anna DiMartile and Bridget DiMartile both scored three goals for the Cardinals (15-2, 9-1 conference), who came into Monday tied for first in the American with both Springfield (Montco) and Upper Moreland. Springfield’s 17-10 win over Abington means the Cardinals and Spartans split the title if both earn victories Wednesday, UD visiting Cheltenham at 3:30 p.m. with Springfield at Wissahickon at 7.
Upper Dublin, Upper Moreland, and Springfield all shared the conference title in 2023, with the Cardinals’ only SOL American loss coming to UM in overtime 10-9 on May 8.
“We just have to maintain our composure against Cheltenham, and of course, secure that win,” said Anna DiMartile, who has verbally committed to Florida. “Once again, this team has worked so hard and I believe we deserve this conference title.
“And, it would be quite remarkable to do it again, especially for our seniors who have been with us through it all and have dedicated so much time and effort to the team, and for everyone else, I think it would be pretty amazing.”
Upper Moreland (13-3, 8-2), which had a four-game win streak snapped, still could claim a piece of the SOL American crown but needs a win at home against William Tennent 3:30 p.m.