Springside Chestnut Hill ends Inter-Ac play as undefeated champions - PSD Photo by Ryan Nix
By: Cole Nowak
PHILADELPHIA- To be quite frank, the first word that comes to mind when describing this edition of the 2021 Springside Chestnut Hill Academy Blue Devils (16-0-1 overall, 11-0) is domination. Not only has the team posted an undefeated record, but they have also outscored their Inter-Ac opponents 47-5, leaving little doubt on who was top dog this season.
The Blue Devils secured the title in last Tuesday’s fixture against a very tough team from Episcopal Academy. Not only did SCH have the opportunity of closing out the Inter-Ac, but it was also senior night. On a day filled with various emotions, SCH held on for a narrow 1-0 victory on a damp and windy day at McGuire Stadium.
SCHA junior Julia Thompson was named Philadelphia Sports Digest's Player of the Game, after her phenomenal defensive efforts all season - PSD Photo by Cole Nowak
“Our team culture is amazing; we are all best friends on and off the field. We are all family, and families stick together and win,” said SCH senior standout, captain Maya McDermott.
“We have been playing together since we were younger, we all know how each other plays and I believe that contributes to all of our wins,” added fellow senior captain, midfielder Lauren Sullivan.
SCH senior Virginia Perry would be the lone goal scorer on the afternoon, which was set up by junior Lisa McIntyre. This would be all the Blue Devils needed to wrap up the game, due to the fact that their defense played lights out, only allowing one shot on target.
“We are attack orientated, but I believe our attack begins with our defense. Not only are they having a lot of shutouts and shutting a lot of teams down, but everything starts from the back, through the midfield, and once we get the ball to our attack third, it is not just one or two players, it is 7 or 8. Any player can be dangerous at any time,” said Blue Devil’s head coach Maria Kosmin.
This team is as polished as one can be, they are loaded up and down the roster with players who can step in and get the job done at any point for this SCH squad.
“About two weeks in, we were able to start playing and scrimmaging against each other because we had 22 players. Sometimes I felt that was more beneficial than trying to find a non-league opponent. I think the fact that we have players that push each other every day, whether it is in practice or coming off the bench for five minutes, do not play at all, or play more than usual. They just constantly push each other and when you have that high level of talent, it translates from practice to games on a consistent basis,” said Kosmin when speaking about the overall depth of her team.
With this team being as jam packed with talent as it is, Springside’s 2021 journey is not over quite yet. With the Inter-Ac under their belt, the Blue Devils look to finish the year as PAISAA state champions.
“As long as we keep doing what we are doing and keep rolling we will be fine. We keep putting the #OnAMission and even though we won today, our mission is not done. Our mission will not be done until we win states,” said McDermott.
Round 1:
Nov. 5th (3:30 p.m.) – No. 3 Penn Charter vs. No. 6 Baldwin School
Nov. 9th (2:45 p.m.) – No. 4 Episcopal Academy vs. No. 5 Agnes Irwin
Nov. 9th (3:00 p.m.) – No. 2 Academy of Notre Dame vs. No. 7 Germantown Friends School
Nov. 13th – PAISAA Semifinal (TBD)
No. 1 Springside Chestnut Hill (BYE) vs. winner of Episcopal vs. AIS
Nov. 17th – PAISAA Championship (TBD)