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Stahl scores nine as Harriton girls' lacrosse beats Souderton

The Rams won, 20-12, in the first round of the PIAA District 1 playoffs.

If it looks as if Greta Stahl plays basketball on the lacrosse field, it's because she does - sort of.

On Tuesday, the 6-foot junior for Harriton had post moves galore as the Rams ousted Souderton, 20-12, in first-round PIAA District 1 playoff action.

"Yeah, I try to get my hips into [defenders], box them out, roll and try to get a post-up, basically," said Stahl, who is committed to Northwestern.

Stahl finished with nine goals and six assists, most of which were generated just left of the goal crease on what would be the low block in basketball.

"I use my height as an advantage a lot of the time," said Stahl, whose older brother, William, a 6-foot-5 senior, also played basketball. "I can shoot over defenders, so I try to get them on my hip and rip around them."

She played basketball at Harriton since freshman year but took off last season to focus on lacrosse.

"The game of girls' lacrosse is essentially the same game as basketball," said Harriton coach George Dick. "All of our defenses and most of our offensive plays translate [to basketball]. Girls' lacrosse is almost identical."

Two Stahl tallies stood out Tuesday.

The first came with 2 minutes, 33 seconds left in the half after Souderton tried to stop Stahl's post-ups by sending a double team.

As the double approached, Stahl feinted retreat, which caused both defenders to overpursue.

Only their momentum betrayed them when Stahl went forward again, split the double and fired a goal that elicited "oohs" and "ahhs" from the crowd and yielded a 9-5 edge.

The second goal - of the behind the back variety - elicited something different from Coach Dick in the second half.

After trailing, 15-6, early in the second half, Souderton seized modest momentum with four straight goals.

Stahl, however, ended that when she got position inside and slid to the right. Hip to her preferences, a defender beat her to the spot, so Stahl fired the shot behind her own back and past the goaltender.

After more applause from fans, Dick, who played basketball and lacrosse at Haverford College (1984), chided Stahl good-naturedly.

"Greta, easy on the behind-the-back shots," said Dick, now in his 10th season.

"I just saw it, and I had to do it," she said, laughing. "My coach doesn't usually let me do that kind of stuff."

Later, she added, "Luckily I got it because if I didn't I would have been pulled right off."

The two have a dynamic relationship that includes loud exchanges at times and hugs and laughter at others, but always mutual respect.

"We're like 'frenemies,' " Stahl joked. "We fight. He yells. I yell back. It's good.

"He knows exactly how good we are and how we can handle pressure. He knows how to keep me calm when I get frazzled."

Harriton 11 9 - 20

Souderton 5 7 - 12

H: Greta Stahl 9, Claudia Conrad 4, Katelin Williams 4, Molly McDonough 2, Allison Schwab.

S: Sarah Goodwin 2, Liz O'Hara 2, Kaitlyn Mardi 2, Riley McGowan 2, Jenny Ubowski, Anna Annello 3.

Saves: H-Devin McClain 3; S-Lauren Scott 13

cartera@phillynews.com

@AceCarterINQ