BY SHANE HENNIGAN
Times-Shamrock Writer

Hannah Richner made her presence felt in the Lackawanna League last season.

Richner spear-headed a Mountain View team that scored 67 to lead Division III. She was named the Division III MVP on her way to earning All-Region and all-state honors. Now, she’s back and ready to lead once again.

Scranton Prep returns eight starters from last year’s District 2 Class AA finalist and PIAA-qualifying team, while Mountain View returns eight starters in their pursuit of a fifth straight district crown in Class A. The Lady Eagles were the overwhelming preseason favorites by the coaches in their respective divisions.

Not only was Mountain View dominant on offense, they were just as good on defense, allowing just five goals and pitching nine shutouts in its 13 games.

The Lady Eagles lose All-Region forward Makenna Whitaker, who scored 17 goals and had 10 assists, but bring back Richner, a two-time first-team all-star who netted 18 goals and had 12 assists, along with second-team all-star Steph Ostir on defense.

Once again, the goals remain the same for this squad, as they expect to be in position to take yet another league crown and then a district one.

“We’re confident,” Richner said. “We are ready to go after the five-peat. We have work to put in but we are ready and motivated.”

Lakeland’s only three losses came at the hands of Mountain View, including a 2-0 loss in the district title game. But the Lady Chiefs will once again keep the pressure on the defending champs, as they return 10 starters, including three-time first-team all-star Taylor Flynn at midfield.

Lakeland also has back two second-team all-stars in Lindsey Domonoski and Kristen Hlavaty.

After going 4-4 in the regular season, Holy Cross made a surprising run to the Class A semifinals thanks in part to All-Region midfielder Felicia Dzielak, who scored 16 of the Lady Crusaders’ 28 goals. Dzielak along with nine other starters are back for Holy Cross, whose crosstown rival Dunmore returns seven starters, including Gillian Coar, who scored 12 goals and was a first-team all-star as a freshman last season, and second-teamers Summer Czekaj, Emily Pavlowski and Elizabeth Nolen.

Montrose will have to replace two-time All-Region goalkeeper Anna Churco but returns first-team all-star striker Krysten Morgan. Elk Lake returns 11 starters, while Forest City brings back five.