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PIAA girls lacrosse season preview 2025: Meet the top 12 players to watch in Butler County

Butler’s Rylee Hurley (2) is a four-year starter and captain after scoring 15 goals last season Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle

Mars girls lacrosse does one thing consistently well.

Win.

The Planets are coming off an 18-3-1 season, including their third consecutive WPIAL championship. They were eliminated in the state quarterfinals.

Fourth-year coach Abby Latona is 55-10 in her career. Her team graduated nine seniors from last season.

“It’s a different team, but the standard is still the same,” Latona said. “We’re a young team this year, but our players develop into leaders by coming through the program.

“It’s the culture that’s been established here, the high standard and the love of lacrosse these girls have. The key is our team seems to get stronger throughout the year.”

Mars has a number of underclassmen in its starting lineup, including some of the top talent in the area.

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With the season underway March 14, here are some girls lacrosse players to watch in Butler County this spring (all 2025 season stats as of Monday):

Avery Adam, sr., attack, Knoch

A fourth-year starter for the Knights, Adam leads a solid contingent of seniors on the team. She needs 16 goals to reach 100 for her career and has caused four turnovers early this season.

Seneca Valley’s Bronwyn Burns (27) is a menace on defense, leading the team in turnovers so far this season. Butler Eagle file photo
Bronwyn Burns, sr., defender, Seneca Valley

One of the veteran defensive players for the Raiders, Burns leads the team in ground balls and forced turnovers early in the season. Gia DiTullio is another returning senior defender, and coach Katie Smolter says the pair works well together.

Freeport’s Ava Dreher (24) entered the week leading the Yellowjackets with 10 goals. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
Ava Dreher, sr., attack, Freeport

One of the Yellowjacket team captains, Dreher sees action at midfield, as well. She’s already tallied 10 goals this spring. Dreher is a Western Pa. Positive Athlete Award nominee this year and won the Freeport Leadership Award in 2024.

Mandy Heinbach, sr., attack, North Catholic

A fourth-year player for the Trojans, Heinbach leads the North Catholic offense. First-year coach Jay Sperling described her as “someone who provides leadership and helps out with the defense. She’s an excellent all-around player.”

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Butler attacker Taryn Hilovsky (10) was the team’s most productive player last season as a sophomore with 28 goals and 30 assists. Butler Eagle file photo
Taryn Hilovsky, jr., attack, Butler

A three-year starter for the Golden Tornado, Hilovsky also spent time playing for the German national team. She scored 28 goals, tallied 30 assists and 22 ground balls last season to lead Butler in point production.

Rylee Hurley, sr., midfield, Butler

A senior captain and four-year starter, Hurley also plays club for Lightning Lacrosse. She scored 15 goals, added five assists, 30 caused turnovers and 22 draw controls a year ago.

Gia Lapinsky, sr., goalkeeper, North Catholic

A three-year starter, Lapinsky provides a veteran last line of defense for the Trojanettes. Sperling said she “has a positive attitude that spreads to the rest of the team and has the ability to work with our defense.”

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Mars' Hailey Long (3) shined as a freshman last season with 43 goals and 21 assists. Butler Eagle file photo
Hailey Long, so., midfield, Mars

Long won the Mars Rookie of the Year award her freshman season. She tallied 43 goals and 21 assists along with getting 70 draw controls. She is an explosive player who creates offense.

Mars’ Anna McGrath (27) was one of the county’s top offensive producers last season with 49 goals and 22 assists. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
Anna McGrath, jr., midfield, Mars

One of the Planets’ 2025 captains, McGrath is one of a number of Mars players who sets up teammates along with getting her share of goals. She entered this season having produced 49 goals, 22 assists and 67 draw controls in her high school career.

Mars' Tess McGrath has 69 goals and 42 assists in her first two seasons with the Planets. Butler Eagle file photo
Tess McGrath, jr., attack, Mars

Anna’s twin sister, the pair moved into Mars from the state of California prior to their freshman seasons. Also a team captain, she entered this season having scored 69 goals to go with 42 assists over the previous two years.

Mars’ Ella Roach is one of the top goalies in the WPIAL and is committed to Duquesne. Butler Eagle file photo
Ella Roach, sr., goalkeeper, Mars

Roach received a national All-American award in 2024 and made All-WPIAL that season. Another team captain, she had 304 career saves entering this spring, and Latona said she is “one of the best goalkeepers in the WPIAL.” Roach will continue her lacrosse career at Duquesne University.

Alaina Wencil, jr., attack, Seneca Valley

An offensive force for the Raiders, Wencil scored nine goals in SV’s first three games this spring. She is the only junior among Seneca Valley’s eight returning starters.

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