District-by-District: Top Uncommitted and Underclassmen in PA D1

Pennsylvania has long been a lacrosse hotbed. Across the state's twelve districts, the Keystone State has been home to names that have changed the landscape of girls' lacrosse forever. With all the talent currently in the state, it is arguable that Pennsylvania is now deeper and more talented than it has ever been.   Here is a district-by-district look at some of the best uncommitted players and underclassmen across the state as they continue to make their case to collegiate coaches. Starting with perhaps Pennsylvania's most dominant district, here are five uncommitted prospects and underclassmen from the Greater Philadelphia area and District 1.    It is rare to see a freshman starting on the varsity team - especially in goal. But when that freshman is Best in Class selection [player_tooltip player_id='70868' first='Viv' last='Ardell'], exceptions are made.   Ardell is already one of the top goalies in the state despite being just a freshman. She consistently shuts down opposing offenses, giving her team a chance to compete against even the best Pennsylvania has to offer.   Such was the case on March 27, when West Chester Rustin faced national powerhouse Notre Dame Academy. Rustin stayed within striking distance until the very end, in large part due to Ardell's strong play in net and her ability to contain an offense stacked with some of the top recruits in the country. Though Rustin would ultimately fall 10-8, performances like this prove they can hang with the elite programs in the state.   Ardell may not be the biggest goalie in net, but her ability to read opposing attacks, combined with sharp reflexes, allows her to consistently hold her ground. She is also extremely agile, able to quickly drop to a knee and stop low shots with ease.   While Ardell cannot officially commit yet, it is safe to assume her name is already on the watchlist of college programs across the country. There are only so many high-level goalies, and Ardell is emerging as one of the best in the nation.     From Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, [player_tooltip player_id='71064' first='Lila' last='Behnam'] is a shifty and versatile attacker who sees plays develop before they happen.   In one instance during fall play, Behnam began her move on a free-position attempt. Seeing two longer defenders extend their sticks on each side, Behnam made a quick cut back and then to her right, slipping past both before firing a shot into the upper-right corner.   She moves exceptionally well without the ball, and her backdoor cuts often leave her wide open in front of the net, where teammates find her for easy finishes.   Behnam, only a sophomore, already has a wealth of playoff experience under her belt. As a freshman, she was part of a Bishop Shanahan team that went all the way to the PIAA 3A State Championship game before ultimately falling to Springfield Delco.   Behnam is a difficult assignment to defend, and it certainly would not be surprising if she is the one who leads Bishop Shanahan back to the state title game before her high school career is over.   Competing in perhaps the toughest district in the state, Behnam has begun to make a strong case that she belongs at the Division I level.     From Devon, Pennsylvania, [player_tooltip player_id='70600' first='Lucy' last='Schardt'] is a tall and physical attacker with a lightning-fast shot. At 6'0", her height gives her a noticeable advantage over defenders when her stick is up, and her accuracy, combined with shot speed, makes her difficult to defend.   She has become increasingly effective in the draw circle, where she uses her height to position her stick above her opponents.   Offensively, she fights through contact well and is an exceptional athlete. For a freshman who may not be done growing, she has already become a difficult assignment for opposing defenders.   But perhaps her most impressive attribute is her lacrosse IQ. Schardt is relaxed with the ball on her stick, excels under pressure, and keeps her head up constantly, reading the play in front of her as it develops.   Coming from a family with deep roots in lacrosse, her mother played at Princeton and her father played at Cornell, Schardt's knowledge and understanding of the game is off the charts.   Division I coaches, if they have not already, should take note of [player_tooltip player_id='70600' first='Lucy' last='Schardt']. She is a physical and athletic attacker who is quickly making an impact across the Philadelphia lacrosse scene.     An opposing attacker is going to have a long day if [player_tooltip player_id='70620' first='Madison' last='Miller'] is her defensive assignment.   From Ambler, Pennsylvania, Miller is the definition of a lockdown defender. When Gwynedd Mercy needs a stop, it is often Miller who steps up and makes a play for her team.   Whether it is wreaking havoc and forcing turnovers or simply staying in front of the ball handler and preventing her from initiating the offense, Miller takes pride in her defensive toughness, and it has become the identity of her game.   Now in her junior season, Miller is quickly emerging as one of the top defenders in the state, and she is one of the few players on this list who can formally commit.   She will match up against any attacker in front of her, and is a player who is going to excel at the next level.     There are few players in the state, and perhaps the country, who can stay in front of [player_tooltip player_id='70541' first='Maeve' last='Irish'] 1v1.   Irish is a dangerous lefty with elite footwork, capable of coming to a complete stop and attacking either side to beat her defender. Whether she is up top, on the wing, or behind the cage, she is comfortable with the ball on her stick and uses all areas of the field effectively.   In one instance this winter, Irish found herself caught between two defenders looking to trap her along the sideline and force a turnover. Instead, calm under pressure, Irish faked the reset pass up top before exploding right, splitting both defenders as she found space for an easy goal.   Her ability to create space is as good as, if not better than, anyone in her class, and she possesses a wide range of moves that allow her to get by even the best defenders.   In another game this winter, Irish took the ball up top and went to work, using a series of hesitation moves, faking left, cutting right, back left, before ultimately attacking right and leaving her defender on the turf as she went by for the easy finish.   Like most players on this list, Irish is not yet able to formally commit. But her name is certainly on the watchlist of programs near and far.

Pennsylvania has long been a lacrosse hotbed. Across the state's twelve districts, the Keystone State has been home to names that have changed the landscape of girls' lacrosse forever. With all the talent currently in the state, it is arguable that Pennsylvania is now deeper and more talented than it has ever been.