The 2021 season was a different one for the Parkland High School girls lacrosse program. Entering a transition after not playing in 2020 due to the pandemic, the Trojans also welcomed a new head coach in former assistant coach Brittaney Costigan.

Dawn Cipolla, who won four District 11 championships and four Eastern Pennsylvania Conference titles in her seven years at the helm at Parkland, stepped down as head coach before last season. The Trojans won districts at the Class 3A level four years in a row from 2016-2019. They also won EPC titles in 2015 and 2017-2019.

Last year, Parkland finished 7-7 overall and did not qualify for EPCs, while falling in the District 11 quarterfinal round. Costigan is looking to get the Trojans back to championship games in the near future.

“Last year was tough,” said Costigan. “I was in my first year as head coach so a lot of things were brand new. There were some bumps and we didn’t accomplish our goals, but the girls worked hard and I know they have the hunger to be better this year.”

Some of the top returning players from last year’s squad that will be back this year include Morgan Napolitano, Morgan Dobil, Gigi Leonzi, Nikki Boyer and Kaz Kennedy. Boyer and Leonzi were 2021 All-EPC performers last season. Costigan also mentioned a group of key newcomers that she hopes will help contribute to victories this season. They include Riley Petronio, Mariana Aubele-Gonzalez, Hannah Car, Taryn Poremba, Riley Santa-Anna and Ella Esteban.

“We have a lot of leadership and unity in this team, even with a younger group and me as just a second-year head coach,” Costigan said. “We have a very young team still working on our chemistry and game experience. We are trying to give our all in every game to push ourselves as far as we possibly can. We are hoping to build off of our successes from last season and improve where we struggle. This focus will hopefully take us farther into the post season this season.”