“It’s very nerve racking,” said O’Hara’s Kenzie Raech. “We get really pumped up and play our hearts out.”

O’Hara’s play on the field proved it was pumped as it emerged with an 18-4 rout of Prendie.

“I think being able to transition down the field quickly and being able to score goals quickly helped,” said Ellie Miller. “We were able to get ground balls.”

With this outcome the Lions improved to 4-2 overall and remained undefeated in the PCL at 3-0. Despite their strong start to the year, they have faced difficulties with injuries and in non-league action but that can only help better prepare for the season as well as the playoffs.

“It’s the beginning of the season,” said head coach Jenny Duckenfield. “We want to know what’s coming.”

Less than two minutes in to the competition, tri captain Erin Grady found the net with Sara Grassi providing an assist. Mia Scarduzio, Miller and Raech all scored to make it 5-0. Quad captain Lindsey Fagan tallied a Prendie goal to stop the run but O’Hara stayed on its feet. Maeve Finnegan scored for the Pandas before the opening half concluded and the Lions held a 10-2 advantage.

Prendie’s Daly Ewing began the new period with a goal but O’Hara came back from the break fully energized. Tri captain Emily Raech got on the scoreboard as did teammate Lexi Culp. Finnegan added another goal but Grady, Scarduzio and Emily Raech all kept their team in it. Rylie McGowan scored with 2:21 in regulation and Emily Raech found the net one last time with 29 seconds to go.

Grady prevailed with a total of four goals and two assists. Miller finished with a hat trick and two assists. Scarduzio and Kenzie Raech dominated in the midfield combining for 11 draw controls as well as three goals. 

“We really stuck together during the game,” said Scarduzio. “We kept going. We kept it up.”

Finnegan (two goals) and Fagan (one goal, one assist) paced the Panda offense. Fagan is having a remarkable junior year as she netted her 100thgoal in a victory over Little Flower.

“It’s really special,” she said. “It was just really cool to get it here with this team.”

Leading the way for Prendie’s defense was goalkeeper Chloe Menear who finished with a total of 12 saves. Quad captain Brennagh Shields and Della George were also solid defensively.

“This loss will show us what we need to work on and help us move forward,” said Menear.

Prendie and O’Hara both have a long season ahead in the competitive PCL.

“We need to find the heart within ourselves,” said Emily Raech.