LOWER MORELAND >> Little things have been important for Lower Moreland this season. After winning one game in 2022 and two games in 2023, the Lions focused on the little things this year and won eight games, the most in a single season since the program started in 1978.
“The most important thing that has helped us move to the next level is focusing on the little things,” LM coach Steve Wittmer said after the regular season finale against New Hope-Solebury at Valley Center Park Wednesday afternoon. “We concentrate on the little things, one aspect of the game at a time. In the past two years, this has made a big difference.”
A significant factor in the turnaround was Wittmer teaming up with assistant coach Deb Lawlor, who was Lower Moreland’s head coach for nearly 15 years before having a successful run as head coach at Gwynedd Mercy Academy.
“When I took over, I looked for someone who shared my love for this game and who shared a vision of building this program with me. I could not have picked a better coach than coach Lawlor,” Wittmer, who’s in his second season as head coach, said. “She brings a wealth of coaching experience and knowledge of the game, as well as energy and high standards for our girls. Coaching young women, she sets an outstanding example. I am very grateful for everything she brings to the table. She is amazing to coach with.”
The improvements were noticeable this season. In addition to winning four times as many games as they did in 2023, the Lions (8-10) went from 83 goals scored to 157 and reduced their goals against from 250 to 189.
“I think this season we worked much better as a team,” Lower Moreland’s Olivia Buczacki, who scored five goals against NHS, said, “rather than a bunch of individuals on the field. I think we’re passing more, we’re getting better shots off.
“I think we have really good shooters, honestly. We have good runners, so good drives. I think driving is our biggest strong suit.”
It didn’t take long to see that this season would be different for the Lions. They started the season with three wins – matching the combined win total from the previous two seasons – by beating Norristown, 16-8, Archbishop Ryan, 16-9, and Academy of the New Church, 10-5.
“To come out 3-0,” Wittmer said, “it just solidified everything that we’ve been working towards and it was just such an amazing foundation for us as coaches, for the girls, for their level of confidence.”
Wittmer also pointed to things off the field that sparked the program’s turnaround – the sisterhood between the players and the support from athletic director Rob Dominick, parents, teachers and other Lower Moreland programs. Members of the baseball team lined the fence during Wednesday’s game against NHS.
“Sports has a way of uniting us,” Wittmer said, “not only on the field, but as a community, and if done correctly there is no limit. Coach Lawlor and I are thrilled about our progress in the past two years and are excited for our continued growth.”
The Lions have never reached the District 1 playoffs. They are currently ranked 15th in the District 1-2A standings, where the top 16 teams qualify for the postseason. While their regular season is finished, teams have until May 12 to play games that count for seeding.
“(Making districts) would be really thrilling,” Buczacki said. “It would be a historic moment for Lower Moreland, I don’t think we’ve ever made districts. I think it would be very exciting and we will come out with our best attitude.”
Whether they qualify for the playoffs or not, the 2024 season was a significant advancement for a Lions team with a promising future. They will lose five seniors at the end of the school year.
“I’m really looking forward to (the future),” Buczacki, a junior, said. “Even if we don’t make playoffs this year, I think we have a very good chance next year. A lot of the eighth-graders coming up are good, the team we have now is really good. Even though we’ll be missing a few of our main people, I think we have a good chance of going further next year.”
