Section V is poised for another dominant year in girls lacrosse: Here are the contenders

Justin Ritzel, Canandaigua Daily Messenger

Few New York state sections have been as prolific as Section V over the last handful of years, and the Genesee Valley again presents a stiff collection of competition for 2024.

Can Victor win its third straight state championship? Will Fairport repeat in Class A? Who will challenge Honeoye Falls-Lima among small school competition? These questions will be answered in the spring months to come.

The Blue Devils are one of Section V's most experienced groups, and look to join exclusive company as the seventh program to win three consecutive New York state titles since the NYSPHSAA tournament play began in 1995. They'll begin their campaign under new leadership, as Jennifer Haggerty takes over as head coach from co-coaches Jamie Smith and Todd Thompson.

Bookmark this: Section V girls lacrosse scores for 2024 season

Section V girls lacrosse dates to know for 2024

  • May 16: Regular season ends/Section V seeding meeting

  • May 18: Sectional tournaments begin

  • May 28-29: Section V championship games at Finger Lakes Community College

  • June 7-8: NYSPHSAA tournament at SUNY Cortland

Rule changes: Is a shot clock coming to boys, girls lacrosse?

Section V girls lacrosse: Class A

Fairport players Ella Peers, left, Ava Peers and Ellie Miller celebrate their win against Suffern in a NYSPHSAA Girls Lacrosse Championships Class A semifinal in Cortland, N.Y., Friday, June 9, 2023. Fairport advanced to the Class A final with an 8-7 win over Suffern.
Fairport players Ella Peers, left, Ava Peers and Ellie Miller celebrate their win against Suffern in a NYSPHSAA Girls Lacrosse Championships Class A semifinal in Cortland, N.Y., Friday, June 9, 2023. Fairport advanced to the Class A final with an 8-7 win over Suffern.

  • Defending champion: Fairport

  • Runner-up: Rush-Henrietta

  • Teams: Fairport, Greece Storm, Penfield, Pittsford, Rush-Henrietta

Fairport won its first New York state title last spring after claiming the Section V tournament, and returns six starters from 2023 under sixth-year head coach Mara Karpp. The Red Raiders lost reigning All-Greater Rochester Player of the Year Jaelyne Twomey, the team's starting goalie, to graduation. With 46-goal scorer Ella Peers and AGR honorable mentions Lily Kondas and Katie Mallaber, Fairport is again one of the teams to beat.

Pittsford was absent from the Class A title game last spring for only the second time since 2010. The Panthers have won eight section titles during that span, six of which were led by 10th-year head coach Donovan Lopez. Pittsford returns six starters this season.

Rush-Henrietta has reached the Class A section title game in five consecutive seasons, including a win in 2022, and should again figure in among the contenders.

Penfield might have the most carryover, as coach Dave York expects to maintain eight to 10 starters from 2023. The Patriots were section semifinalists in 2023.

Section V girls lacrosse: Class B

Victor’s Devin Livingston carries the ball against Bethlehem in the Class B state semifinal game.
Victor’s Devin Livingston carries the ball against Bethlehem in the Class B state semifinal game.

  • Defending champion: Victor

  • Runner-up: Irondequoit

  • Teams: Brighton, Canandaigua, Churchville-Chili, Gates Chili, Hilton, Irondequoit, Spencerport, Victor, Webster Thomas, Webster Schroeder

Victor should again be a handful in Class B, as the Blue Devils return 10 starters from the group that won the state title last spring, including six Monroe County all-league selections (Libby Boland, Abbie Murphy, Devin Livingston, Allie Pisano, Maia Pronti, Ryann Savage).

First-year coach Haggerty has coached within the Victor school district in some capacity for the last 17 years.

Irondequoit, last spring's runner-up retains only four starters from 2023. Among those lost to graduation is former All-American and All-Greater Rochester selection Maeve Brennan.

Spencerport was among the teams Section V coaches listed as one to watch. Second-year coach Tara Pittman brings back seven starters from last year's team that lost to eventual state champion Victor in the section semifinals. Molly Guzik, a 2023 All-American and All-Greater Rochester selection, is back for her senior season.

Section V girls lacrosse: Class C

Honeoye Falls-Lima’s Paige Kidd looks to shoot around John Jay’s Finja Degl.
Honeoye Falls-Lima’s Paige Kidd looks to shoot around John Jay’s Finja Degl.

  • Defending champion: Honeoye Falls-Lima

  • Runner-up: Palmyra-Macedon

  • Teams: Brockport, Eastridge/Bishop Kearney, Geneva, Honeoye Falls-Lima, Newark/Midlakes, Our Lady of Mercy, Wayne

Honeoye Falls-Lima won its 11th straight Class C section title last spring and reached the state semifinals for the second consecutive year. Longtime coach Kevin O'Connell returns eight starters from last year's team, led by seniors Paige Kidd, Katie Adams, Lilian Brady and Camryn Trybuskiewicz.

Runner-up Palmyra-Macedon dropped to Class D this season, which leaves the door open for another potential finalist to step in. Geneva could be a possibility after reaching the semifinals last season -- the Panthers brought back two-time AGR honorable mention Allie Good, who scored 62 goals in 2023.

Section V girls lacrosse: Class D

Penn Yan's Bailey Cooper, right, is defended by Bronxville's Rose Woolery during a NYSPHSAA Girls Lacrosse Championships Class D semifinal in Cortland, N.Y., Friday, June 9, 2023. Bronxville advanced to the Class D final after an 18-8 win over Penn Yan.
Penn Yan's Bailey Cooper, right, is defended by Bronxville's Rose Woolery during a NYSPHSAA Girls Lacrosse Championships Class D semifinal in Cortland, N.Y., Friday, June 9, 2023. Bronxville advanced to the Class D final after an 18-8 win over Penn Yan.

  • Defending champion: Penn Yan

  • Runner-up: Waterloo

  • Teams: Aquinas/World of Inquiry, Gananda/Marion, Livonia/Avon, Marcus Whitman, Mynderse/Romulus, Palmyra-Macedon, Penn Yan, Waterloo

Penn Yan won the Class D title last spring, its first championship since 2006, and looks primed to do so again this season. The Mustangs have 11 returning starters led by 2023 Finger Lakes Player of the Year and All-Greater Rochester selection Bailey Cooper.

Pal-Mac drops to Class D this year and similarly retains plenty of experience. Included in the Red Raiders' 10 returning starters are 2023 Finger Lakes first-team honorees Reagan Diehl and Teagan Hudak.

This article originally appeared on MPNnow: Section V girls lacrosse is strong again 2024: Here are the contenders

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