BY: COLE NOWAK
PHILADELPHIA- Episcopal Academy (EA) did not waste any time coming into Tuesday’s match-up against Springside Chestnut Hill Academy (SCH).
After SCH’s standout, Emma Bradbury opened up the game’s scoring just 12 seconds after face-off, EA responded. The Churchwomen punched in 4 goals in under 3 minutes of gameplay to gain initial separation.
“I think today we came hungry right off of the draw. we were super fierce. Every 50/50 ball was a fight between us, and the other team and I think our defense worked together and really communicated well which took us a long way,” said senior M/D Madison Vetterlein.
Episcopal senior goalie Eloise Richter kept the early 4-1 lead where it was by making a huge stop on a Bradbury’s breakaway opportunity. Bradbury would get her revenge a few possessions later by sneaking one past Richter cutting the lead to just 2 with 13:09 left in the 1st half.
To complete the 1st half, each side traded runs. EA pushed the lead to 8-2 with 5:07 left, but it would not hold. The Blue Devils made a 3-goal run on their own facilitated by junior attacker Cece Reilly. With 3 minutes she found the cutting Bradbury on a pretty feed that was buried. Reilly then got herself in the goal column just a minute later to bring the score to 8-5.
“My left-hand drive and the ability to see the cutters when a double team is sent,” said Reilly when asked about her strongest tools as a player.
SCH did everything they could to make a strong defensive stand to conclude the first half, but EA’s senior attacker Sarah Groark capped off a great 1st half and converted with just :04 left bringing her 1st half total to 5 goals.
“I think I was just getting a lot of looks and I credit that to my teammates, we moved really well off-ball. Something we work on often and that clears up my hands a lot for good looks on cage,” said Groark.
SCH junior Cece Reilly talks about her team's "never give up attitude". (video- Cole Nowak)
Game day highlights by: Cole Nowak
EA continued to keep their foot down out of the half and pushed the lead to 12-6 with 19:21 left to play. EA gave SCH valuable scoring chances that were aided by penalties but SCH would not be able to capitalize.
The Blue Devils did not back down, they fired back with 3 goals in just over a minute to cut the deficit in half, but it would not be enough. EA’s Groark would add two more goals to her tally in the 2nd half leading the charge.
Groark was lethal scoring 7 goals on 7 shots. EA did a great job controlling pace throughout the contest, which stemmed from execution of their transition game.
Richter recorded 7 saves and SCH junior goalie Lucy Pearson had 8.
Episcopal looks to continue to dial in as they take on Germantown Academy Friday afternoon.