skip navigation

GIRLS LAX: Robinson’s Key Stops Help Archbishop Carroll Finish a Perfect Season

By John Knebels Photos: Zack Beavers, 06/20/22, 10:45PM EDT

Share


Archbishop Carroll defeated Twin Valley 10-8 to win the 2022 PIAA 2A State Championship - PSD Photo by Zack Beavers

Photos/Videos: John Knebels & Zack Beavers

By: John Knebels

WEST CHESTER, PA  – Assessing the job of a lacrosse goaltender doesn’t require a degree in physics.

If the defense is subpar, the goalie’s stats will suffer. If the defense is at least average, the goalie stands a fighter’s chance of survival.

Either way, it tends to be a lonely – and anxiety-producing – existence. 

In Archbishop Carroll’s 10-8 PIAA Class 2A state championship victory over talented Twin Valley June 11 at West Chester East High School, winning goalie Bridget Robinson made five saves.

Not as many as she would have liked, but without the likeable junior’s heroics midway through the second half, Archbishop Carroll would not have finished the season a perfect 24-0 and captured its second straight state crown and third since 2017.

2022 PIAA 2A Championship Highlights - Carroll vs. Twin Valley - Video by John Knebels & Zack Beavers

“I try not to be a perfectionist in goal and focus on the next play even when a goal goes in, but that can be hard,” said Robinson. “It stinks when goals go in, but moving on from a bad half or play is part of the mentality of a goalie.

“I think a lot of playing goalie is mental. That is part of the reason I love the position. It is definitely not the easiest at times, but when you have a defense like Carroll's, most of the time I’m in a good position to make saves.”

After Carroll had flicked aside a concerning 6-3 deficit late in the first half to eventually tie the game at 8-8 on one of four goals (along with three assists) by senior Emma Talago, Twin Valley had two golden opportunities to re-take momentum.

Carroll sophomore Brooke Wilson helped defense hold Twin Valley to two goals in the second half - PSD Video by John KNebels

Archbishop Carroll Goalie Bridget Robinson came up with two huge saves in the second half - PSD Video by John KNebels

On both attempts, however, Robinson stood tall to maintain the deadlock. One minute later, Talago scored from in close to give the Patriots what ultimately served as the game-winning tally. An insurance strike by junior Machaela Henry gave Carroll its first multiple goal advantage.

For the remainder of the contest, the Patriots controlled play and didn’t even need to take a shot during the final five minutes.

“Even though I did not play my best in the first half, one of my teammates, (senior) Sarah Durham, pulled me over at halftime,” said Robinson. “She gave me a big pep talk, and that helped me pull it together in the second half. I just needed to get back in the game mentally.”

Among Carroll’s defenders, senior Katie Koroly and sophomore Brooke Wilson supplied constant communication and pressure, holding Twin Valley to only two goals in the second half.

Carroll senior Emma Talago scored four goals, including the game winner - PSD Video by John KNebels

Carroll coach Lorraine Beers has won three PIAA state crowns - PSD Video by John Knebels

Wilson’s defensive assignment of fronting Twin Valley star senior and Loyola University-bound Anna Kaplan drew rave reviews from Carroll’s highly appreciative net minder, who labeled her teammate’s contribution “critical.”

A smiling Wilson returned the plaudits.

“It wasn’t our most defensively strong game,” said Wilson. “We couldn’t have done it without Bridget. (Her late saves) provided us with momentum – to keep going and push through. When we had the lead, we just needed to calm down and make smart plays and make smart choices.”

Carroll coach Lorraine Beers did not blame her goalie for Twin Valley’s first-half success.

“Unforced errors are uncharacteristic of us,” said Beers. “The mistakes we were making in the first half allowed some of the Twin Valley girls, who are very good, to be open, and you can’t save those shots.

“The second-half defense really kind of locked it down, got their rhythm together better, and Bridge could face savable shots, and she did. She came up big. She’s been big in all of our games, especially the playoff games.

“She’s great. You can depend on her. You can’t let a goalie have wide-open people in front of her. Those are mistakes on our part. Kids are going to make mistakes. It happens.”


Archbishop Carroll won second straight PIAA title - PSD Photo by Zack Beavers

In the end, the Patriots got the job done . . . for the 24th time in 24 tries.

“That is awesome,” said Beers with an almost disbelieving grin. “That is crazy.”

(Contact John Knebels at jknebels@gmail.com or on Twitter @johnknebels.)

Please contact Zack Beavers: zack.beavers20@gmail.com to purchase state championship photos.