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GIRLS' SOCCER: Springside Chestnut Hill remains undefeated in League Play vs. Penn Charter

By Dan Mc Carty ( photos by: Zamani Feelings), 10/18/19, 11:00AM EDT

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PHILADELPHIA--It was the scene of an Inter-Ac League rivalry as the William Penn Charter Quakers hosted the Springside Chestnut Hill Academy (SCHA) Blue Devils in soccer action Tuesday, October 15. SCHA went into this game undefeated in the league at 7-0. Penn Charter held a 6-1 league record with its only loss to Penn Charter in a match earlier this season.

While the Quakers were desperately seeking revenge this time around and hoping to snap the Blue Devils’ winning streak, SCHA proved that prior outcome was no mistake and upset Penn Charter, 4-2.

“Girls have been focused all year,” said head coach Maria Kosmin. “Penn Charter is one of our toughest games. We know they can score. Defense, as always, was solid.”

This turned out to be an especially important win for the Blue Devils. Improving to 8-0 in the league, it officially puts SCHA two games ahead of Penn Charter that is now 6-2.

“There’s a good chance we could win the Inter-Ac now that we beat them again,” said freshman Mary Trudeau. “If we lost, we would have had a tied record.”

The Quakers certainly faced a lot of intensity throughout the 80 minutes of competition.

“Defense was definitely on a rock,” said senior goalkeeper Riley McDade. “They held us strong when we were getting pounded by their offense.”

Sophomore Lauren Sullivan gave the Blue Devils a 1-0 advantage almost halfway through the opening period. That score remained in check for a while, but offense got down to business as the second half progressed.

Trudeau took a 2-0 sprint of her own that put SCHA on quite a roll. The first of her goals came off of a corner. It slipped past PC junior Janae Stewart. SCHA junior JoJo McShane then got to the ball and shot it. While it got by the Quaker defense again, Trudeau shot it this time and scored.

Penn Charter did not get the least bit discouraged. Stewart found the net twice for the Quakers. Her first goal was a header with 21:33 remaining in regulation. She then registered a goal 11 minutes later off a free kick, threatening the Blue Devils’ lead.

But that did not deter SCHA's offense as it continued to be on fire.  Sophomore Maya McDermott answered back finding the net with 5:58 to go. Holding on to a narrow 3-2 surplus, McDermott knew that she simply had to finish and get that "W" for her team.

“It just went in the goal,” said McDermott.

Junior goalkeeper Julia Wilbekaitis prevailed on defense for the Blue Devils.

“Penn Charter has a really good offense with some really good girls, so we had to keep our speed up and we also had to play really tough because they’re really aggressive,” said Wilbekaitis.

SCHA freshman midfielder Mary Trudeau talks about the importance of this game.

SCHA sophomore Maya McDermott talks about her winning goal and what this season means to her team.

Senior goalkeeper Riley McDade led the way on defense for Penn Charter.

“Defense was definitely on a rock,” said McDade. “They held us strong when we were getting pounded by their offense.”

Linus concurred.

“Defense was key to our team today. We just couldn’t execute,” said Linus. “Overall, everyone played pretty well.”

PC senior goalie Riley McDade talks about the intensity of the game.

A big game like this one will help prepare both teams moving forward, especially with the playoffs set to begin in just a few short weeks.

“It’s the Inter-AC, anything can happen,” said Linus. “Hopefully, something shakes out in our favor. It will definitely prepare us for states.

League play continues today for both teams.

The Blue Devils will recognize their senior team members tonight at their home game against Germantown Academy. Game time is 6 p.m.

The Quakers are away against Episcopal Academy. Game time is 4 p.m.