Aquinas girls lacrosse standout aims to lead Raiders to back-to-back state titles

Sometimes, Peri Riegner would rather dish than swish.

Riegner, a senior who has earned a scholarship to play lacrosse at the University of Louisville, scored 42 goals last season, leading St. Thomas Aquinas to the first state title in program history.

But Aquinas coach Kevin Gilligan said Riegner could stand to be more aggressive in looking for her own shot.

Riegner, a former high-level gymnast who dedicated herself to lacrosse at age 12, has her own view.

“In games where we won by a lot, if I had three goals – that was enough,” Riegner said. “My thought was, ‘Let my teammates score so that they can get excited. When we get to more competitive games, they will be more confident.’”

Riegner’s plan worked perfectly as Aquinas beat Steinbrenner 8-7 in the state semifinals and then rallied in the second half to defeat Vero Beach, 17-9, to win the title.

“It was literally the best thing ever,” Riegner said. “All of our hard work paid off.”

Aquinas, which finished 13-1 last year, is the favorite to win the Class 2A title again in May.

The Raiders’ lineup is loaded with senior stars such as Riegner (18 assists), Ava Yovino (51 goals, 30 assists) and Sofia Guttmann (36 goals, 19 assists).

Yovino, who has earned All-American status, signed with Navy. Guttmann signed with Amherst.

In addition, senior goalie Skylar Troyan, a fourth-year starter, signed with Assumption. Defender Julia Backenstrass, a Bucknell signee who scored the game-winning goal against Steinbrenner, also returns for her senior year.

“A lot of kids don’t like going against Julia because she’s so aggressive,” Gilligan said.

Aquinas’ junior class is also stellar, including Taylor Bank, who has committed to George Washington; Ella Bartlett, who has committed to Wofford; and Margaret Harmon, who committed to George Mason.

“As long as we stay healthy,” Gilligan said, “we should be good.”

As for Riegner, who is interested in studying medicine or architecture, she isn’t very big – just 5-3 and 125 pounds.

Her size is an issue she’s battled for years.

“Some coaches do see height as a big component,” said Riegner, whose sister, Ellie, plays lacrosse for Rutgers. “Personally, I don’t think it’s a big deal. Shorter players tend to be quicker and have good footwork, and that’s what you need as an attacker.

“I believe that if you’re good, you’re good.”

Riegner will get no argument from Louisville coach Scott Teeter.

“Peri is a little bit smaller in size, but she plays like a giant,” Teeter told GoCards.com. “She has a great shot and great vision. She demands respect from the best defenders every time she’s on the field.

“She’s quick, gritty and tough as nails.”

Here’s a look at other top girls’ lacrosse teams in Dade and Broward:

CLASS 2A

▪ Lourdes will be led by senior midfielders Alissa Gonzalez-Mir and Eva Aguirre in what will be their first season competing in a district and third overall for its program.

▪ Cooper City (4-10 last season) returns a solid group led by midfielders Cameron Sen, a sophomore, and Helen Tremble, a junior.

CLASS 1A

▪ Pine Crest, which went 12-4 and lost in the state quarterfinals. returns 14 seniors. That includes Colgate recruit Ella Bishara, a senior with great speed.

“She has the quickest first step I’ve ever seen,” Pine Crest coach Eileen Pliske said.

Pine Crest also has Alex Gladding, Vassar recruit Sloan Shade and Lily Spyredes.

▪ American Heritage (9-4) is led by Xavier recruit Lola Mancuso, a senior who had 22 goals last season despite missing five games due to a back injury. Senior Kaitlyn Chmelir scored 41 goals in 11 games, and great things are expected from star freshman Zoe Horwitz.

▪ Ransom Everglades won its district and finished 13-3 last season. But the Patriots lost 16 players to graduation and will rebuild around senior defender Victoria Porto and junior attacker Emma G.

▪ Miami Country Day, 9-6 last season, is led by junior Nina Le-Troadec (33 goals) and senior Rachel Hodes (32 goals). They graduated six players, including three starters.

This story was originally published February 3, 2022 at 1:13 PM.