Familiar foes meet in Section V girls lacrosse championship games

This week's Section V girls lacrosse title games feature all four champions from a year ago. Will those clubs successfully retain their top status, or will the four challenges usurp the throne?

Among the eight teams remaining, seven have won a Section V title within the last three seasons. These battle-tested clubs will take the field in hopes of securing the championship brick, first with the Class A and D title games on Tuesday, followed by the B and C championships on Wednesday. All four contests will be held at Finger Lakes Community College.

The four winning teams will return to FLCC next Saturday, June 1 for the NYSPHSAA regionals, against a to-be-determined team from Section VI.

Here's a look at the matchups:

Section V Class A championship: No. 3 Fairport (11-6) vs. No. 4 Pittsford (9-9)

When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 28, at Finger Lakes Community College.

Fairport's key players: Sophomore attack Camryn DuBose, senior defender Claire Dziedzic, freshman midfielder Brenna Goss, senior midfielder Katie Mallaber, junior midfielder Ella Peers, sophomore midfielder Madison Van Gorder.

Pittsford's key players: Sophomore attack Sydnie Borrell, senior attack Callie Cross, sophomore attack Cecily Kaul, senior midfielder Dani Mooney, senior midfielder Cate Rathnam.

From Fairport coach Mara Karpp: “(Pittsford) is a hungry team with tons of championship game experience. They will be prepared and well-coached. This season was our first time beating Pittsford in the regular season in my tenure at Fairport. Looking forward to the challenge.”

Nuts and bolts: Fairport won the head-to-head 12-8 on April 24 ... Pittsford entered 2024 with eight Section V titles, fourth most all-time ... The teams have met in sectionals three straight seasons, though the previous two matchups occurred in the semifinals ... This game marks the second time Fairport and Pittsford have played each other for a Section V title (2016) ... First Class A championship game in at least 10 years that doesn't feature the No. 1 or No. 2 seeded teams.

Section V Class B championship: No. 1 Canandaigua (16-2) vs. No. 2 Victor (15-3)

When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 29, at Finger Lakes Community College.

Canandaigua's key players: Senior midfielder Hanna Davis, senior defender Rose Heagney, junior defender Eily Hubler, junior attack/midfielder Samantha Lupton, sophomore attack/midfielder Lola Schorr, sophomore attack/midfielder Leah Sheridan, senior goalie Meckenzie Taft, junior attack/midfielder Nola Weaver.

Victor's key players: Senior goalie Maggie Allen, senior attack Libby Boland, senior midfielder Devin Livingston, senior defender Abigail Murphy, freshman attack Allie Pisano, junior attack Maia Pronti, senior defender Ryann Savage.

From Canandaigua coach John Herriman: "Both squads feature potent offense, stiff defense and athleticism between the lines. Keys to the game will start with the fight for possession at the draw circle and the ability to finish scoring chances at the offensive end. Despite Canandaigua earning the No. 1 seed and the regular season victory, Victor is still the two-time defending Class B champion. They returned four defensive starters, including their goalie, and 97% of their scoring output from 2023. They remain the team to beat until someone knocks them out. We are excited for our opportunity to shine."

Nuts and bolts: Canandaigua won the head-to-head matchup 7-6 on April 22 ... the Gray Wolves were Section V's last remaining undefeated team after starting the season 13-0 ... With a win, Victor can tie Canandaigua for fifth-most section titles (six) in Section V history ... Victor can also become the sixth Section V program to claim three titles in a row (Brighton, Honeoye Falls-Lima, Penn Yan, Pittsford, Pal-Mac are the others).

Section V Class C championship: No. 1 Mercy (8-9) vs. No. 2 Honeoye Falls-Lima (9-9)

When: 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 29, at Finger Lakes Community College.

Mercy's key players: Sophomore attack Sydney Cook, junior midfielder Krista Harnischfeger, junior midfielder Emma Kravetz, junior midfielder Mia Lusardi, junior midfielder Lydia Malvaso, freshman goalie Elinor Meyer, sophomore attack Mia Quagrello, freshman attack Maeve Shanahan.

HFL's key players: Senior attack/midfielder Katie Adams, sophomore attack Shaye Angelo, senior goalie Lily Brady, senior midfielder Paige Kidd.

From HFL coach Kevin O'Connell: "They (Mercy) are very talented team of girls that play together all year round."

Nuts and bolts: HFL has won 14 of the last 15 Class C section titles (2008-2010, 2012-2023) ... Mercy has five players with 20 or more goals this season ... the youthful Monarchs list only one senior on their roster ... The teams met on April 16 in a 10-8 win for Mercy ... There's also a previous championship matchup featuring the two teams, won by HFL in 2017 ... Mercy is 0-3 in its previous title game appearances.

Section V Class D championship: No. 1 Penn Yan (15-3) vs. No. 3 Palmyra-Macedon (13-4)

When: 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 29, at Finger Lakes Community College.

Penn Yan's key players: Junior attack Corinne Barden, sophomore attack Ruby Berry, sophomore midfielder Bailey Cooper, sophomore midfielder Mary Dabracci, senior defender Aubri Green, freshman midfielder Lila Hansen, junior defender Rebecca Hayes, junior midfielder Maihue Miranda-Wiltberger, freshman midfielder Makenna Mullins, senior midfielder Taylor Mullins, sophomore attack Gianna Voigt, junior goalie Marion Wheeler.

Pal-Mac's key players: Senior attack Reagan Diehl, junior midfielder Taryn Goodness, sophomore midfielder Teagan Hudak, junior attack Anna Priebe, junior attack Jenna Santelli.

From Penn Yan coach Chris Hansen: "Pal-Mac is very well-disciplined, always works extremely hard and I have a ton of respect for their program and their coach. (EJ Burse) has been around for a long time and Pal-Mac has been the team to beat for the last decade in Class D. We are very excited for the challenge this Tuesday."

From Pal-Mac coach EJ Burse: "They have one of the best players in all of Section V (Bailey Cooper), lots of strong players all over the field, well-coached they a lot of legacy and culture."

Nuts and bolts: Penn Yan is the defending champion ... Prior to the the Mustangs win in 2023, Pal-Mac had won all five of the previous Class D section championships, after New York state added a fourth classification in 2017 ... Both teams are undefeated against competition within classification this season ... Penn Yan's Bailey Cooper is one of only two Section V players to eclipse the century mark in points so far this season (105) ... Pal-Mac's Teagan Hudak is currently third in draw controls (134), while Penn Yan's Taylor Mullins also ranks in the top 10.

This article originally appeared on MPNnow: Section V girls lacrosse: Matchups, top players for title games