Photos/Videos: Dan McCarty & Aaron Mitchell
By: Dan McCarty
NEWTOWN SQUARE, PA – There was no way of predicting the outcome of last Friday’s match-up between the Episcopal Academy Churchwomen and the Academy of Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Both teams went in to this game undefeated in the Inter-Ac League, but Notre Dame proved to want the victory a little bit more and emerged with a 5-1 win on the road.
“I think it was definitely a team win,” said Academy of Notre Dame junior and quad-captain, Maeve Seeger. “Working with each other from defense, to midfield, to attack, to finishing. Executing the corners and doubling. It was a team win. It was really exciting.”
With this outcome, the Fighting Irish remain undefeated in league play at 4-0. The team holds an overall record of 9-2. Episcopal Academy (EA) dropped its record to 8-2-2 overall and 3-1 in the league.
“We came out with fight,” said EA senior co-captain Charly Bruder. “Ever since my freshman year they’ve (ND) always put up a great fight. They just finished. There are some things we have to work on from the game. I think it was a great all around fight.”
Bruder found the net first in this crucial game, but EA did not stay on top for long. Notre Dame junior Saylor Milone tied the game. Freshman Kiera Sack scored to give the Irish a permanent lead with freshman Reese Milone providing the assist. Saylor Milone tallied another goal in the second quarter assisted by senior Brennan Czajkowski for a 3-1 halftime surplus.
Academy of Notre Dame vs. Episcopal Academy - PSD Gallery by Aaron Mitchell
The Irish kept fighting throughout the second half. Seeger accounted for a third quarter goal and Czajkowski provided yet another assist. Saylor Milone completed her hat trick in the fourth quarter paving the way for the final score of 5-1.
It was a great defensive game for Notre Dame. Junior goalkeeper Alex Duff led the way on defense. She finished with a total of eight saves.
“It was really good working with my defenders to shut down Episcopal,” said Duff. “It (our defense) was really good with (shutting down) the corners.”
Notre Dame juniors Alex Duff and Maeve Seeger talk about the keys to victory vs. EA - PSD Video by Dan McCarty
Episcopal Academy senior Alexis Ventresca & Charly Bruder address their teams' strengths - PSD Video by Dan McCarty
EA’s defense stayed on its feet as well. Freshman Ryann Newcomb and junior Isabel Andrews shared time in front of the net. They combined for six saves.
Notre Dame will be back in action Wednesday, October 12 hosting Springside Chestnut Hill Academy at 3:30 pm. EA travels to take on Agnes Irwin today (October 11) at 4:00 pm.
“Looking forward, I feel really confident,” said Bruder. “We’re a young team. We’ve been building up with a new coach. We’re getting better every single game. I think the future is bright for us.”
Academy of Notre Dame and Episcopal Academy will face each other once again on Tuesday, November 1 at the home of Notre Dame as the teams vie for PAISAA playoff seeds.