Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
WCU goalie Mitros carries on family name
West Chester goalie Mitros carries on the family name
WEST GOSHEN >> There are certain names that are instantly recognizable to West Chester football fans, and ‘Mitros’ is at the top of the list alongside Woodall, Penecale and Rondell (White). Mike Mitros was a four-year starting quarterback for the Golden Rams from 199699, and his name is prevalent all over the record books.
Another WCU athlete is carrying on the name these days, and it’s not in football but lacrosse. West Chester’s Paige Mitros is not only the starting goaltender for the seventh-ranked Rams, she is Mike’s niece.
“I knew that Uncle Mike was a quarterback here, but it wasn’t much of a factor in me coming to West Chester,” Paige said.
“I live so close to campus, I had been here a lot and really liked it. But he knew I was thinking of coming here, and I know he was very excited when I did.”
Paige grew up in nearby Glen Mills and one of her earliest memories was coming to WCU football games at Farrell Stadium to see her uncle play.
“It’s a very faint memory because I was so little,” she said. “There are a couple pictures of all of the cousins at the game with Uncle Mike.”
Paige attended Garnet Valley High School, and in 2014 she led the Jaguars to the state lacrosse title, making 14 saves in the title
game against Springfield (Delco). That attracted the attention of West Chester head coach Ginny Martino.
“Paige was a great get for us and she’s been fantastic,” Martino said.
“She is a gamer. I could tell that seeing her play for the state championship in high school. She would just show up and shut them down.”
Martino was a rookie head coach in 1998 when Mike Mitros was in the midst of his four-year reign, leading the Rams to a 27-15 record. That very season, his junior year, Mitros established the school record for most consecutive games with multiple touchdown passes (10).
“Yeah, I knew Paige’s uncle was a quarterback here,” Martino acknowledged. “It’s great to get kids from athletic families because they understand the athletic mentality and they know what it takes because they’ve been around it all of their lives.”
Paige’s father, Fran — Mike’s older brother — played baseball at Villanova. Her mom played field hockey and softball.
“It wasn’t a lacrosse family — more baseball and softball,” Paige said. “But I have an older sister, Tori, and she started lacrosse when she was little and I followed in her footsteps.”
Tori starred at Garnet Valley and then played collegiately at George Mason and La Salle.
“You hear about the experience someone in your family had and you want to have the same experience,” Paige said.
In WCU’s long history of football success, Mike Mitros is the program’s most productive quarterback. He graduated as the career leader in touchdowns (94), passing yards (9,834) and completions (819), and all of those marks still stand. In addition, his 489 yards against Clarion in 1998 is still a single game record.
“I’ve talked with him about West Chester, and he told me it’s changed so much from when he was here. It’s just a bigger school now,” Paige said.
“You hope your athletes have a great experience so that when they graduate
they tell family and friends about it,” Martino added. “Even if you take the sports out of it, West Chester is a fantastic school.”
A sophomore, Paige is the only goalie on WCU’s roster. A year ago, she started four games, but this season she’s played every second of every game. Her record is 11-1 and West Chester leads the PSAC in goals allowed (6.2).
“Paige is solid back there,” Martino said. “She is a very mentally strong kid and as a keeper, that’s what you need between the pipes.
“Her hands are like lightning. And she is very smart, so she plays angles well and knows when to come out and when to stay in. And she does a great job of communicating with her teammates.
“She’s made some key saves at key times and she starts our transition.”