Keara Allshouse

The 2019 season will be a fresh start in a lot of ways for the Chambersburg girls lacrosse team.

Gone are most of the starters from last year, including two 100-point-plus scorers, Hannah Raines and Rachel Dusman, and goalie Micaela Champion, the school’s career saves leader.

Gone is coach Jamie O’Dell.

New coach Keara Allshouse is a rookie coach who has an extensive background in the sport. It is her goal to instill in her players the kind of passion she has for the sport.

“It’s tough because we don’t have a lot of experience, and I’m still getting to know the girls,” Allshouse said. “But I want to end the season with the girls saying they love the sport and want to come back next year and continue to improve.”

Allshouse grew up in West Chester and began playing lacrosse at the age of 7. She continued playing with a travel club and at prep school Westtown until she suffered a serious knee injury playing field hockey in her junior season.

“I absolutely love the sport — the only positions I didn’t play were goalie and high attack,” Allshouse said. “It’s really exciting to get back into it at the other end, with coaching. I’ve leaned on my sister, who coaches field hockey, and our boys coach Paul (Flohr) has been very helpful, too.”

Ashlyn Bothe

Allshouse is facing a challenge. On the 26-girl roster, seven players had never tried the sport until this year.

“We only have one senior (Molly Keefer),” Allshouse said, “and she’s never played before. But her attitude is phenomenal. We’re a small group, but the experienced players have stepped up and helped the girls who haven’t played before.”

The only returning player who did much scoring last year is junior Ashlyn Bothe. She’ll be joined in the midfield by sophomore Ashlyn Barton and junior Ashley Bawell, in what Allshouse calls her “Triple-A midfield.”

On attack, Brenna Rosenberry (jr.), Taylor Pearce (jr.), Adyson Finkle (fr.) and Kirsten Gerhart (jr.) are the frontrunners.

Allshouse said, “We’ve really focused on the fundamentals, like making good passes and cuts, communication and playing in transition.”

Olivia Saylor

The defense will include juniors Olivia Saylor, Amayah Roberts, Angela Del Aguila and freshman Julian Elia. Kenna Shearer, a junior, will start in goal, but freshman Sammy Harbaugh will also see some time.

“Playing defense in girls lacrosse is a real challenge because you’re allowed no contact,” Allshouse said. “You have to really communicate and play with the right amount of intensity.”

Other players who will get their chance include sophomores Emma Grimm, Abri Alleman and Leah Coder, and junior Isabella Fidler.

“I’m excited with the group of players we have,” Allshouse said. “We know Friday’s game (at home vs. Hershey, 7 p.m.) will be a learning experience, but we’ll find out what we need to work on.”

NOTES: Hannah Schmeck is the Chambersburg assistant coach … The Trojans had a 6-10 record in 2018 … The junior class is the largest, with 10 girls … There are also four sophomores and three freshmen.