PHILADELPHIA—This past Friday, The Baldwin School traveled to the home of the Springside Chestnut Hill Academy (SCHA) Blue Devils for an intense matchup between the two undefeated squads.
The Blue Devils secured a 4-0 shutout holding on to their (5-0 league, 9-1 overall) record.
Baldwin, (2-1 league, 7-3 overall), came out strong controlling the ball for the first 5 minutes and keeping it in the Blue Devils’ defensive zone. But the momentum quickly shifted when SCHA sophomore forward Maya McDermott got the ball. McDermott continued her scoring streak garnering two back-to-back goals assisted by senior co-captain Maddie Niebish.
The Blue Devils took a 2-0 lead with 19 minutes left in the first half.
(Photos by: Tom Nemec)
SCHA vs. Baldwin School
Baldwin goalkeeper Taylor Levinson faced a barrage of shots in the first half, making 7 big saves, but SCHA’s offensive line proved relentless. Freshman midfielder Mary Trudeau scored off of an assist from senior defender Abbi Rorke giving her team a 3-0 lead with 8:30 remaining in the first half.
The Polar Bears came out of the half refueled and focused earning themselves several free kicks and several chances to score but their offense struggled to find the back of the Blue Devils' net.
SCHA's freshman Mary Trudeau with a goal assisted by senior Abbi Rorke (video-Tom Nemec)
Baldwin played a heavy styled attack in the second half, possessing the ball much more than in the first stanza. Baldwin head coach Adrian Cox tried to keep his team’s energy high.
“We need to take risks and chances if we want to come back,” said Cox to his team during the break.
Unfortunately, the aggressive strategy by Baldwin was not enough as SCHA junior co-captain Jojo McShane, assisted by senior forward Meghan McNesby, found the back of Baldwin's net putting the Blue Devils up 4-0 with 9 minutes remaining in regulation. McShane’s goal sealed the “W” and junior goalkeeper Julia Wilbekaitis earned the shutout for her team.
SCHA sophomore Maya McDermott talks about her team's mindset going into this game (video-Tom Nemec)
“There was an obvious difference in [how we played during] the second half, I think that this was a good thing to experience and learn from that and know going into other games, no matter how it’s going we can up our play,” said Baldwin senior co-captain Alex Loomis.
McDermott attributed the strong start to this season to her team’s chemistry.
“As the season has been going on, we have been building our chemistry and becoming more of a family.”
SCHA continues league play Tuesday, October 1st when they travel to Episcopal Academy.
Baldwin will have home advantage this Tuesday when they take the field against William Penn Charter.