Lower Merion girls’ soccer team wins 3rd consecutive Central League title

The Lower Merion High School girls’ soccer team, which clinched its third consecutive Central League title Oct. 18, features an impressive group of five seniors who have been an integral part of the Aces’ success the past four years.
During the last four seasons (as of Oct. 23), the Aces have posted a 60-5-1 record (39-2-1 in the Central League), winning league titles the past three years and placing second in 2019. Lower Merion has been ranked No. 6, 8 and 10 in Pennsylvania over the last four years. (No. 6 in 2020, No. 8 in 2021 and No. 10 in 2022).
Those five senior Aces are three captains — Elly Slensky, Grace Downey, and Sadie Cohen — plus defender Abby Braslow and midfielder Emma Burke.
Slensky, the Aces’ Most Valuable Player last fall, has started at center midfield for the past four years. She was a first team All-Central League and All-Main Line selection last year, and will play soccer for Boston College next fall.
“Our team looks for Elly to lead us on and off the field,” said Lower Merion girls soccer head coach Kevin Ries. “She will be the most decorated player in school history.”
Downey, a forward, and Cohen, a center defender, were both second team All-Main Line girls’ soccer selections last fall.
“Grace, Sadie and Elly have been the centerpiece of our team for four years,” said Ries. “We look to them to lead and encourage the team.”
Lower Merion (16-1-1 as of Oct. 23 and seeded fourth in the District 1 A tournament) has outscored its opponents 65-12, and the Aces’ offense has been led by Downey, freshman Dylan Steinberg, and Emma Barrabee, who have combined for 37 goals.
The Aces’ defense has been airtight, giving up just seven goals in the past 15 games. LM’s defense has been led by center defenders Cohen and sophomore Casey Forman.
“Sadie and Casey both are quick to press out of the back, and possess recovery speed,” said Ries. “They are both great 1v1 defenders and communicate well with one another. Abby Braslow and Gabby Jarvis, who were starters for us last year, play on the wing and do a great job of getting out of the backline and supporting our midfield. Gabby is great at winning head balls and Abby tackles as hard as any defender to play for Lower Merion. And Kate Cantu has played really well for us.”
Cantu, a freshman, has recorded a 0.5 goals against average, and has allowed only three Central League goals all season.

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