GIRLS LACROSSE: Rothenberger, Davis help build Abington Heights into superpower

4 min read
GIRLS LACROSSE: Rothenberger, Davis help build Abington Heights into superpower

GIRLS LACROSSE: Rothenberger, Davis help build Abington Heights into superpower

Allie Rothenberger played a major role in building the Abington Heights girls lacrosse program into a conference and district power. As she prepares to hand the baton to her friend and teammate, Morgan Davis, they aim to create another memorable experience. Both Rothenberger, who forged a lasting le

GIRLS LACROSSE: Rothenberger, Davis help build Abington Heights into superpower

Allie Rothenberger played a major role in building the Abington Heights girls lacrosse program into a conference and district power. As she prepares to hand the baton to her friend and teammate, Morgan Davis, they aim to create another memorable experience. Both Rothenberger, who forged a lasting legacy, and Davis, a second-year star, lead the Lady Comets into the District 2 Class 2A ...

In just a few short years, the Abington Heights girls lacrosse program has transformed from a fledgling startup into a bona fide powerhouse—and at the heart of that rise are two extraordinary athletes: Allie Rothenberger and Morgan Davis.

Rothenberger, a senior midfielder and Rider University commit, has been the engine driving the Lady Comets' success since she first stepped on the field as a freshman. Alongside her teammate and close friend Davis—a rising star in her second year—they're now leading Abington Heights into the District 2 Class 2A playoffs as two-time defending champions, hungry to extend their legacy.

"It's been nothing short of amazing," Rothenberger said. "It feels surreal. The program seems like it's been around forever, but it really hasn't. We followed in the footsteps of the players who got it started, and we've carried that hard work forward."

The Lady Comets' journey to the top didn't happen overnight. After debuting in 2017, the team hit .500 in the Wyoming Valley Conference by their second season. Then came the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, but instead of slowing them down, it fueled their fire. By 2021, Abington Heights posted a 7-6 record, improved to 9-5 in 2022, and pushed Wyoming Area in the district quarterfinals—thanks in part to standout Emily Bartell, who set the tone with 100 career goals.

The real breakthrough came in 2023. The Lady Comets finished as WVC runners-up with a 13-1 record, and despite a regular-season loss to Crestwood, they battled back in the district final. Bartell scored four goals, and Caly Yankow added three in a hard-fought 12-8 defeat—a loss that only sharpened their resolve.

For Rothenberger, that season was a turning point. As a freshman on that 2023 team, she soaked in every lesson. By her sophomore year, she exploded onto the scene as a speedy midfielder, posting 50 goals and 33 assists to earn The Times-Tribune Player of the Year honors—and leading the Lady Comets to their first District 2 Class 2A title and a PIAA playoff berth.

Last season, she was even better. Rothenberger was named WVC Coaches' Player of the Year after racking up 70 goals, including nine in the state tournament, as Abington Heights captured its second straight district crown.

Now in her senior year, Rothenberger is the undisputed leader of a team that's become a district dynasty. She's committed to playing at Rider University, but before she heads to the next level, she's focused on one more championship run with her Lady Comets family.

"It's been crazy," she said. "The time has flown by. I feel like I was just a freshman making varsity, and now I'm a captain. I'm a perfectionist—I've worked on my game constantly. Coach Becky Davis has always told me to believe in myself, and that's played a huge part in my success."

With Rothenberger leading the charge and Davis emerging as a key contributor, the Lady Comets are poised to write another chapter in their remarkable story—proving that a program built on determination, teamwork, and a relentless work ethic can achieve greatness.

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