NEWTOWN SQUARE, PA-- The Episcopal Academy (EA) girls’ soccer team simply worked together for a full eighty minutes of competition when hosting Germantown Academy (GA) in Inter-Ac League action Tuesday. That combined with a sharp mentality paved the way to a 3-1 victory on a beautiful autumn afternoon.
This marked the league opener for EA and so begins their season with a league record of 1-0. It improved to 2-2 overall on the year thus far.
A little more than 16 minutes into the opening period, freshman Maya Naimoli registered a goal, assisted by senior forward Ali McHugh, to give the Churchwomen the lead.
The score did not change for quite some time until early in the second half, that is when Germantown Academy sophomore Alexis Goodridge scored to tie things up.
“It was a corner kick,” said Goodridge. “I think it was just bouncing around and I just saw the goal and took a shot.”
The Churchwomen did not get discouraged. Sophomore Bella Piselli, with an assist from senior forward Lauren Cunningham, found the net to put her team back where it wanted to be. Naimoli tallied another goal and that was all that it took to come out on top.
“We have to be hard on the ball when we want it,” said Naimoli. “We don’t give up.”
“There was a lot of communication going through,” said Piselli. “Everyone was making sure they knew where they were supposed to be.”
EA's Maya Naimoli talks about her first goal.
EA's Bella Piselli talks about scoring the tying goal.
Episcopal Academy vs. Germantown Academy (video-Dan McCarty)
EA junior goalkeeper Allie Bush recorded two saves on the day. She commended her teammates for helping shutdown the GA offense.
“That comes from the leadership and the communication that we work so hard on,” said Bush.
GA goalkeeper Elizabeth Altomare talks about each game as a learning tool.
GA's Alexis Goodridge talks about her team's outlook.
Senior goalkeeper Elizabeth Altomare paced the GA defense with four saves on the day.
“Giving up a goal (or three goals) isn’t easy in this league,” said Altomare. “When they (her team) pick you up physically and mentally, it obviously helps the momentum.”
Inter-Ac League soccer action continues tomorrow, September 20th. Episcopal Academy hits the road to take on the William Penn Charter Quakers at 4:00 p.m.
Germantown Academy will host Springside Chestnut Hill Academy Blue Devils Friday at 4:00 p.m.