With the District XI Class AAA Girls Lacrosse Championship hanging in the balance, Pleasant Valley senior star Rylee Rath delivered one more unforgettable moment.
After seeing a potential game-winning free-position shot clang off the crossbar with just 12 seconds remaining in regulation, Rath refused to let the opportunity define the night. Instead, the Northwestern commit authored another chapter in her legendary career, scoring the overtime winner to lift Pleasant Valley to a dramatic 13-12 victory over Nazareth Thursday night at Lehigh University.
The thrilling overtime win completed a remarkable five-goal second-half comeback for the Bears and secured Pleasant Valley’s third consecutive District XI Class 3A championship.
Already widely regarded as one of the greatest girls lacrosse players in District XI history, Rath may have cemented her legacy with a championship performance for the ages. The senior midfielder dominated possession, winning 25 of 29 draw controls — including an astonishing streak of 17 consecutive wins — while scoring a game-high seven goals, capped by the decisive overtime strike.
Pleasant Valley (21-2) battled back after trailing early, as Nazareth jumped out to a 4-2 first-quarter lead and carried an 8-5 advantage into halftime. The Bears stormed back with a five-goal third quarter to even the contest before eventually forcing overtime tied at 12-12.
Alongside Rath’s offensive explosion, Brielle Halamar added five goals, while Gabrielle Kutzler chipped in another score to round out the Bears’ balanced attack.
Nazareth (20-2) was led by a strong offensive effort from Morgan Koch, who tallied four goals and an assist while adding five ground balls and four forced turnovers. Natalie Mihalko and Keeley Kershner each recorded three goals and one assist, while Mia Pulliam contributed two goals and an assist.
Defensively, Pleasant Valley goalkeeper Emily Stipeck made four saves in the championship effort, while Nazareth goalie Macey Tonkay finished with six saves.
In the end, however, the night belonged to Rath and the Bears, whose resilience and championship pedigree once again proved too much to overcome as Pleasant Valley celebrated another District XI crown in dramatic fashion.
