It was a historic season for the Pennridge girls soccer team.
The Lady Rams captured the SOL Colonial Division, District One 4A and PIAA state 4A titles, outscoring their opponents 39-1 during a magical postseason run.
At the heart of this year’s squad were 12 seniors, eight of whom were part of a group of 17 Pennridge seniors recognized on Friday, Dec. 22, for committing to compete in their sport at the collegiate level.
For the eight seniors, it was the final chapter of their high school careers.
“It’s definitely bittersweet because we did end in the best way possible, so that made it so much more sweet than bitter,” said senior Anna Croyle, one of four seniors who were also starters on the 2020 state championship squad. “Especially in those final moments of the game when the clock was winding down, obviously, I was excited that we were state champions, but it also hit me that these would be the last seconds I’d be playing for my high school team, so that was sad.
“Coach Aud (Audrey Anderson) has coached us since we were little, and she’s built this culture into an amazing program.”
Croyle will continue her soccer career at Syracuse University where she will major in sports management. She also considered Virginia Tech, Xavier, Dartmouth and Loyola University Maryland.
“I chose Syracuse because I think it is the perfect fit,” Croyle said. “I know I will get a great education, and the campus is beautiful.
“I felt an immediate connection to the coaching staff and players, and the sense of community is so exciting. I can’t wait to play in the ACC.”
Ava Kiwak will enroll in the pre-med track and continue her soccer career at Drexel University, choosing the Philadelphia school from a final list that included Davidson, Longwood and Winthrop.
“I like the city of Philadelphia,” Kiwak said. “The coaches and team were the right fit for me, and Drexel is a good school academically.”
Casey Malone will continue her soccer carer at the College of Charleston. She also considered Baylor, North Carolina State, Colorado State and Loyola.
“I chose the College of Charleston for the team culture, coaching staff and for the city of Charleston, which has the beach and a gorgeous campus,” said Malone, who is undecided on a major.
Meredith Blannett will play soccer and major in psychology at the University of Albany. She also considered Rhode Island, Old Dominion, Vermont, Siena and Youngstown.
“I chose Albany because I loved the coaches, and I loved the campus and surrounding area,” Blannett said. “The team atmosphere was really positive and exactly what I wanted.
Bryn Constanzer will continue her soccer career at Lock Haven University where she will major in physical therapy. She also considered St. Peter’s University and Virginia Wesleyan.
“I chose Lock Haven because I love the coaches, and the current players were super welcoming towards me,” Constanzer said.
Victoria Angelo will continue her soccer career at Seton Hall University where she will major in nursing. She also considered St. Joseph’s University.
“The players and coaches made Seton Hall feel like home,” Angelo said. “I had the time of my life (playing high school soccer). The friendships will last me forever, and the lessons I will remember forever.”
Olivia Grenda will continue her soccer career at the University of Dayton where she will major in engineering. She also considered the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Virginia Commonwealth and William & Mary.
“Dayton has a great engineering program, and their soccer program is at the top of the Atlantic 10 while also playing ACC and Big 10 schools with a chance to make the NCAA Tournament,” Grenda said.
Lindsey Balmer will continue her soccer career at West Chester University. She also considered Millersville.
“West Chester is close to home, they have a good soccer team, and my sister goes there,” said Balmer, who is undecided on a major.
Kyle Watson will continue his baseball career at Cedarville University where he will major in international studies. He also considered Liberty and Messiah.
“I chose Cedarville because it was the best fit athletically and academically,” Watson said. “Last year I was injured most of the season, so I’m looking forward to playing during my senior year.”
Siena College will inherit the water polo talents of both Ava Vesey and Allyson Ricciardi.
Vesey, who is undecided on a major, chose Siena from a final list that included La Salle and Washington & Jefferson.
“I chose Siena because the campus life fit me best,” Vesey said. “At Siena, students do not have to choose an official major until the end of sophomore year, which will give me plenty of time to experiment.”
Ricciardi, who will be a pre-law major, chose Siena from a final list that included James Madison, Northern Iowa, Buffalo and the University of Toronto.
“Siena felt like home, and I love the environment and people at the university,” Ricciardi said. “It felt like such a kind and inviting place.”
Ava Fantaskey, Kate Unzicker and Jordan Feder will continue their lacrosse careers at the collegiate level.
Fantaskey, who will major in business administration, chose Temple University from a final list that also included James Madison, East Carolina and Cincinnati.
“I chose Temple because I love the city of Philly and the feeling of being close to home,” Fantaskey said. “The coaching staff and girls on the team really made Temple feel like home to me. I am excited to be a part of a great school and awesome lacrosse program.”
Unzicker will major in health sciences at the University of Richmond. She also considered Rhode Island and Franklin & Marshall.
“I love Richmond – I loved the team and the coach,” Unzicker said. “Lacrosse has taught me so much and given me my best friends. I’m grateful for the opportunities I was given.”
Feder will major in kinesiology at Longwood University, choosing the Big South school from a final list that included Liberty, Holy Cross and Lafayette.
“I chose Longwood because of the size of the school, the team dynamics, culture, location and academic degree,” Feder said. “Coming back from missing my whole freshman year and part of my sophomore year, I’m grateful to be part of the lacrosse team.”
Veronica Gula will continue her cross country and track career at Loyola University Maryland where she will major in biology. She also considered Rutgers, Richmond and Virginia Tech.
“I chose Loyola because I felt most supported by the administration and coaching staff,” Gula said. “My high school career was inconsistent, but I am glad to be where I am and for the lessons I’ve learned throughout my years.”
Hannah Capo and Keira Horensky will continue their field hockey careers at the collegiate level.
Capo chose Saint Francis University from a final list that included Lehigh, Central Michigan, Ursinus and East Stroudsburg.
“I love the campus and coaches at SFU,” said Capo, who will major in biology. “They have every academic opportunity I could want. I knew this was home the second I stepped onto campus.”
Horensky will major in mathematics and continue her hockey career at Lock Haven. She also considered Virginia Commonwealth.
“I loved the coaches, players, organization and academics that Lock Haven offered and wanted to play in a competitive conference at the Division I level,” Horensky said. “I learned a lot playing high school field hockey and would do it all over again.”
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