The 18th anniversary of the Katie Samson Lacrosse Festival took place over the weekend at Radnor (Pa.) High School. This year's festival featured a record 54 teams (26 boys, 28 girls), showcasing top high school lacrosse in the Philadelphia while helping to raise money for the Katie Samson Foundation.
Samson, a Radnor graduate, helped lead Middlebury College to the 1999 NCAA Division III Championship as the team's starting goalie. The following winter, Samson suffered a spinal cord injury while sledding and became a quadriplegic.
She returned to Middlebury to earn her degree and helped the team win two more national championships as a student coach.
Since the formation of the Katie Samson Festival in 2000, the event has raised more than $1.9 million to help support cutting edge research and support for individuals dealing with spinal cord injuries.
US Lacrosse Magazine photographer Kevin P. Tucker was on hand for this year's event and shot three of the boys games.
Malvern Prep handed defending PIAA Class AAA state champion Avon Grove its first loss of the season, posting a 16-4 victory. Malvern Prep moved into the Nike/US Lacrosse National High School Top 25 after the victory.
Central Bucks West posted a 12-4 victory over Harriton, with Joe Rockovich netting a goal and five assists to go over 200 point for his career.
Finally. Garnet Valley, led by University of Maryland lacrosse legend Frank Urso nipped Spring-Ford 8-7. Mitch Lachman scored three goals in the victory.