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GIRLS SOCCER: Thrilling Overtime Lifts Archbishop Wood to Second Straight PCL Title

By John Knebels - Photos: Donna Eckert, 11/02/22, 3:45PM EDT

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Archbishop Wood - 2022 PCL Girls Soccer Champions - PSD Photo by Donna Eckert

Photos/Videos: John Knebels & Donna Eckert

By: John Knebels

PHILADELPHIA – The freeze frame told the story.

A few feet from the net, a delirious throng of humanity piled on top of one another, hoping that the moment would never end. To the north, east, and west, fatigued and despondent bodies dotted the turf, still in disbelief of what had just occurred.

Indeed, Archbishop Wood’s 2-1, overtime triumph over Lansdale Catholic in Saturday afternoon’s Philadelphia Catholic League girls’ soccer championship at Northeast High School fully embodied the cruel contrast between the ubiquitous thrill of victory and agony of defeat.

“It’s truly amazing what we accomplished this season with such a young team,” said Wood senior Daryn Savage, a first-team All-Catholic and four-year starter. “Being able to say you’ve won the PCL back-to-back is incredible, and it’s not something a lot of people can say.”

Seeking its second-ever title and first since over-timing Archbishop Ryan, 1-0, in 2018, Lansdale Catholic broke a defense-dominated scoreless tie on a goal by senior first-team All-Catholic Megan Steinbach with exactly 26 minutes remaining in regulation.

For most of the next 20 minutes, it appeared as though the Vikings, who haven’t lost a regular-season league game since 2020, would fall short of capturing their PCL-record 16th championship in their PCL-best 30th appearance in the finals.

But with only 5 minutes, 21 seconds separating the Vikings from becoming the first Wood team to win consecutive titles since the school’s three-peat from 2009 through 2011, freshman standout Paige Eckert tied the game when she popped home a goal from eight yards out.

Junior Grace Hoeger, who later described the experience as “pure joy,” set up the play with an aggressive feed from near the left corner. Eckert stopped the pass with her right thigh. A clearing attempt by Lansdale Catholic was thwarted by third-team All-Catholic freshman Sophia Topakas, and Eckert booted the loose ball into the cage while falling to the ground.

Archbishop Wood vs. Lansdale Catholic - 2022 PCL CHampionship Highlights by Donna Eckert & John Knebels

Lady of the hour, freshman Paige Eckert, provided both WOod goals, including the game-winner in overtime - PSD Video by John KNebels

Archbishop Wood coach Tom DeGeorge, who joined late legend Bill Cappo (seven) and program founder Eileen Richart (six) with multiple school titles (Dick McCafferty won one championship in 1992), was wondering what took his squad so long to find its offense.

“They went up 1-0 and to be honest with you I wasn’t too excited about how the girls reacted,” said DeGeorge, whose Vikings trailed a PCL opponent for the first time this season. “When we went down, I thought there would be a little more fight. We weren’t getting chances and it was kind of like, man, is it gonna come?”

As she has done so often during a marvelous rookie season, Eckert came through, this time with the most important goal of her career.

With plenty more to come, that “most important goal” theme didn’t last long.

In the overtime, the Vikings had clearly seized momentum. With Lansdale Catholic unable to gain its footing, PCL Most Valuable Player junior Ava DeGeorge – Wood’s leading scorer with 14 goals and 15 assists – took advantage.

Tom Degeorge revisits the ups & downs of a riveting PCL final - Video by John Knebels

Ava DeGeorge compares back-to-back PCL titles - PSD Video by John Knebels

Wood junior Grace Hoeger set up the game tying goal - PSD Video by John KNebels

Seeing Eckert straddling the field's 11-yard line, thus 21 yards from the net, DeGeorge feathered a soft pass ahead of the now streaking center-forward. Sensing what will forever be remembered as one of the PCL’s most historically clutch moments, Eckert saw an opening and let fly with a hard drive from 13 yards away that splashed the twine for her 11th goal of the season.

“When I saw that first goal go in, I just saw the faces of my teammates,” said Eckert, firmly holding the PCL championship plaque. “They were all so hyped. I couldn’t believe I scored a goal in the championship game as a freshman.

“It meant everything to me. It’s been my dream since day one. I felt a little bit of urgency and I was a little bit nervous because time was running out. My coaches definitely helped me through that. They told me to relax and play like I’ve always been playing, and it worked.”

And then, the epic game winner that triggered a frenetic sprint from the sideline and eventual dogpile from her ecstatic Wood teammates.

“All I remember is, Ava gave me that ball and I just looked up and saw an opening and just hit it as hard as I could and it went in,” said Eckert, a second-team All-Catholic. “It’s so special for me and I’m just glad I could win it for them. It’s their senior year, their last PCL game ever.”

two-time senior PCL champ Daryn Savage compares the two experiences - Video by John Knebels

Wood goalie Lauren Greer describes the pressure of overtime - PSD Video by John KNebels

Sophia Topakas' defense was a key factor in archbishop Wood's victory - PSD Video by John Knebels

Stupid Question Time: Highlight of your career?

“Yes,” said Eckert with a chuckle. “Yes . . . definitely.”

This marked the second straight season in which teammate DeGeorge assisted on the game-winning championship goal.

Last year, her perfectly struck corner kick was headed – actually “faced” – in by her senior sister Alyssa to give Wood a 2-1 lead over Ryan before they added an insurance tally.

“They (Lansdale Catholic) came out with lightning, a lot of energy,” said DeGeorge, whose goal with 38 seconds left in a heretofore scoreless regulation upended Lansdale Catholic on October 6. “And I think it took us back a little bit, but we bounced back. When they scored I was a little stressed, but there was plenty of time. (Tying the game) was the biggest relief ever.

“There was a lot of pressure this year. I’m really close to the seniors, so I didn’t want this to be my last game with them losing in the PCL. Last year, I think we were probably more of a better team. This year was back and forth.”

Both ended the same way – with a Catholic League hubcap.

“I think once we scored that (tying) goal, just looking at the kids’ eyes, I thought we were definitely going to win in overtime,” said DeGeorge, Ava’s father. “I was just proud of the girls. A lot of their legs were going and we said just keep pushing, and then to score at the end – it was something special.

“They really impressed me in overtime. We work a lot on the extra pass, so it was kind of like a lot of times when (Eckert) takes that shot and I yell at her and I’m like, ‘Look for the next pass,’ but I just think goal scorers are a different breed.

“It’s very hard to tell a goal scorer to pass the ball. I just think she said, ‘I’m going to take this in my own hands,’ and it worked. Who am I to criticize, right? She scored. She knows better than me.”

Junior goaltender Lauren Greer, a second-team All-Catholic who surrendered a grand total of three goals in the PCL and had taken an eight-game shutout string into the final, was the last player to join the on-field celebration. Her 100-yard dash time might have set an unofficial PCL record.


Archbishop Wood freshman Paige Eckert #29 scored both goals for the Vikings in the PCL championship - PSD Photo by Donna Eckert


Lansdale Catholic senior Ava Mercier #8 and Archbishop Wood Senior Ava DeGeorge #5 fight for the ball - PSD Photo by Donna Eckert

“It’s definitely nerve racking to be in a sudden-death situation, especially when I know the team has worked so hard to get to this point,” said Greer. “If at any point it came down to me saving the season, I believe I would be able to do it with my team's and school’s support.”

Lansdale Catholic was visibly devastated by the defeat. The two-seed Crusaders, who also lost overtime championship games to Wood in 2016 and 2009, and once in regulation in 2010, competed like champions beginning to end.

Coach Bree Benedict was typically classy in defeat, lauding both her team along with the PCL championship’s Most Valuable Player.

“For my kids, I couldn’t be more proud,” said Benedict. “They fought so hard. We almost had it. Unfortunately, we were out a couple key contributors today due to illness, which stressed our game plan. Felt like we really shined in moments and gave everything we had. We have a special group that has led by their hearts and love for one another.

“We believe we have more to come this season (in districts and states) and I can’t wait to watch them compete next week. Megan Steinbach is easily the most special player I’ve ever coached. There is nobody that has the control and skill she has. I can’t wait to see what she does in the state tournament.”

As for Eckert, whom Benedict coached in club ball, LC’s coach was very moved when the Wood freshman stopped her own celebration and raced over to Benedict for a heartfelt embrace.

Benedict was not surprised in the slightest.

“Paige is an incredible human,” said Benedict. “She has an ability to read the game and understand where the open spots to exploit and attack are. She will be a player to watch for the next four years. She has the ‘it’ factor.

“She comes from a great family. Her character far surpasses anything anyone will do on a soccer field. She will be a phenom in the Catholic league for years to come.”

Victory in victory, and victory in defeat. Can’t ask for much more than that.

 

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