GIRLS SOCCER: Birthday Victories, Comeback Wins & Tight Finishes Compile Week 2 of PCL Play

BY: MARC NARDUCCI

PHOTOS & VIDEOS BY: DONNA ECKERT, MARK NARDUCCI, RYAN NIX & MARK ZIMMARO

A birthday present for Archbishop Wood’s Ava DeGeorge

Archbishop Wood senior Ava DeGeorge will always remember her 18th birthday and her 16th birthday as well. That is because both days, Sept. 21, saw her score goals in Philadelphia Catholic League games.

The most recent one came on Thursday when DeGeorge had a goal and an assist in a 3-0 home win over Archbishop Carroll in a game between teams with 3-0 Philadelphia Catholic League records.

DeGeorge’s goal on her 18th birthday was a classic. She scored on a long shot from her opposite (left) foot to increase the Vikings’ lead to 2-0.

“It’s exciting because it is a fun day already, to be with your friends on your birthday,” DeGeorge said.

As a sophomore she scored twice in a victory over Little Flower. Last year there was no game on her birthday, only practice.

She earned her assist on a corner kick that was headed in by sophomore Paige Eckert.

Archbishop Wood’s first goal was scored late in the first half on a breakaway by Kylie Wiest.

For DeGeorge, scoring on any day has been a common occurrence. A Rider commit, she has been the driving force for the two-time defending PCL champion Vikings.

Being able to shoot effectively with both feet is truly a skill that makes her dangerous whether she is playing midfield or up top.

“I work a lot on shooting and my left foot is really useful because people aren’t used to somebody cutting to their left foot, so being able to shoot with my left is a big advantage,” she said.

What makes DeGeorge one of the best players in the state is not just her shooting, but also the array of moves she has. Few players have the composure with the ball that DeGeorge possesses.

The ball is like a magnet on her foot as she continually breaks down defenders in 1-v-1. Those moves are the byproduct of years of drills.

Archbishop Wood senior Ava DeGeorge has made a habit of scoring goals on her birthday - PSD Video by Marc Narducci

Archbishop Wood's Kylie Wiest opened up the scoring vs. Carroll - PSD Video by Marc Narducci

Archbishop Wood vs. Archbishop Carroll - PSD Gallery by Donna Eckert

“I have been working on it since I was little and my dad had me doing footwork,” she said. “It’s something I’ve always practiced, and I try to work on it because it is important.”

Her father, Tom DeGeorge, is the head coach of Archbishop Wood.

“In high school you become more on the ball and she’s dribbling to people, breaking people down and getting scoring opportunities,” Tom DeGeorge said of his daughter.

Ava DeGeorge said that the win over Carroll showed the continual development of what is a relatively young Vikings squad.

“We knew this was a big game coming in because we were both 3-0 and they are always hard to play against because they are athletic, they can run and it’s good to get a win against them,” Ava DeGeorge said.

The fact that it came on her birthday, added to the win.

Eckert continues to roll for Archbishop Wood

Last year current Archbishop Wood sophomore Paige Eckert enjoyed a breakout freshman season, one that saw her score both goals in the Vikings’ 2-1 overtime PCL championship win over Lansdale Catholic.

“That was probably my best moment in soccer ever, that was just crazy,” Eckert recalled. “That is like my dream to win the PCL as a freshman and score both goals, it’s crazy.”

Now a sophomore, she is considered a veteran on a relatively young Archbishop Wood team that starts just three seniors, midfielder-forward Ava DeGeorge, keeper Lauren Greer and left back Grace Hoeger.

Paige Eckert reflects on scoring two goals the 2022 PCL title game & notes the current state of the lady Vikings - PSD Video by Marc Narducci

Wood sophomore Paige Eckert #29 scores off an Ava DeGeorge corner in 3-0 win vs. Carroll - PSD Video by Marc Narducci

One can see the leadership ability of Eckert on the field, whether he is employed as a midfielder or playing up top.

“I always try to lift my teammates, play as a leader,” she said.

Eckert cautions that even though this is a young team, there is still a talented roster to contend with.

Archbishop Wood sophomore Paige Eckert #29 - PSD Photo by Donna Eckert

“I think we have a lot of talent, because even though we’re young, we have a lot of experience and a lot of girls who can really play,” she said.

And that applies to Eckert, who scored an impressive goal in the win over Carroll, heading in a corner from Ava DeGeorge.

Whether it’s with her head or feet, she has a variety of ways to score and the experience and the success she gained from a year ago, has continued to pay dividends this season.

Archbishop Ryan showing comeback tendencies

Archbishop Ryan first-year coach Megan Manion is enjoying coaching her team, but she wouldn’t mind seeing her players get off to a few quicker starts.

On Thursday Ryan improved to 4-0 in the PCL with a 2-1 win over Conwell-Egan. Ryan overcame an early 1-0 deficit, continuing a pattern of getting down and then coming back.

In its opening 3-2 PCL win over Nazareth Academy, Ryan trailed 2-0 before storming back. Even in a 6-1 win over Little Flower, Ryan trailed that game 1-0.

Archbishop Ryan senior Gianna Rivera #11 - PSD Photo by Kathy Leister

“It’s made my blood pressure go up,” Manion said laughing in reference to allowing the early goals. “Obviously I am happy at how our team has battled back.”

Emma Fitzgerald scored the equalizer and then Gianna Rivera got the game-winner with about six minutes left. Rivera, one of the area’s top players and a Kutztown commit, headed in a feed from Riley Lukach.

Among the defensive standouts, according to Manion was freshman center back Aubrey Wright.

St. Hubert’s Wins a Tight One

St. Hubert’s continues to play tight games, losing 1-0 to Nazareth Academy on Thursday and winning 1-0 over Cardinal O’Hara on Monday. In the win over O’Hara, Ang Kinniry was the goal scorer.

“We did well attacking and generating chances with 17 shots in the game,” St. Hubert’s coach Jeannette Hibbs said. “Ang Kinniry worked hard get in behind the defense and was able to get us on the score board in the first half.”

Big OT Win For Archbishop Carroll

Archbishop Carroll enjoyed a dramatic 2-1 double overtime win over Lansdale Catholic. The game-winner was scored by Colleen Lloyd on an assist by Sophia Weiss. That improved the Patriots PCL record to 3-0.

Carroll’s first goal was scored by Olivia Stout on assists from Maddie and Abby McFillin. Keeper Grace Wilson had a busy game, making 17 saves and earning her eighth win of the season.

Carroll then suffered its first Catholic League loss in the aforementioned 3-0 loss to Archbishop Wood.

Archbishop Carroll vs. Lansdale Catholic - PSD Gallery by Ryan Nix

All close ones for Nazareth Academy

In its first year in the Catholic League, Nazareth Academy has been involved in several nail-biters. All four games have been decided by one goal. The Pandas opened with a 3-2 loss at Archbishop Ryan and then earned their first PCL win with a 1-0 win at Lansdale Catholic.

This past week saw a 2-1 loss to Archbishop Wood and then a 1-0 victory over St. Hubert’s.

Rileigh Donohoe was the goal-scorer in the loss to Archbishop Wood. During the win over St. Hubert’s, Devon Cheeseman scored the game-winner.

“Today (against St. Hubert’s) was a great game,” said Nazareth Academy coach Dan Bradley. “Both sides played hard, and it was a typically hard-fought PCL game.”

As the score suggested, the game against St. Hubert’s was up for grabs.

Nazareth Academy vs. Archbishop Wood - PSD Photos by Donna Eckert

“It could have gone either way,” Bradley said. “Fortunately, it went our way today. Devon scored on a corner kick, it was a scramble in the box and Devon found the back of the net.”

Clutch Saves for Conwell-Egan prove positive

First-time goalkeeper Megan Werner came up big in Conwell-Egan’s 2-0 victory over Little Flower. The junior, who used to play wing and midfielder, decided to try her skills as gatekeeper. Since her team was without a goalie, she decided to give it a go.

“I’ve been training all summer, so it felt like it really paid off,” said Werner.

And that it did. Werner made two clutch saves before the end of the first half thwarting a possible tie game.

Conwell-Egan vs. Little Flower. (Photos by Mark Zimmaro for PSD)

Junior captain Gianna Vorgity scored both goals for the Eagles giving them the assurance needed after coming off a two game deficit.

“Our two losses were devastating, so this really brings up our confidence as a team,” said Vorgity.

CEC Junior Maddie Werner made 2 clutch saves in game vs. Little Flower - PSD Video: Mark Zimmaro

Conwell-Egan Junior Stricker Gianna Vorgity secures the 2 winning goals - PSD Video: Mark Zimmaro

A first PCL win for Lansdale Catholic.

After three one-goal losses, Lansdale Catholic earned its first PCL win with a 3-0 win over Little Flower. The week began with a 2-1 double overtime loss against Archbishop Carroll.

Even in the loss to Carroll, the Crusaders were showing strong signs. According to first-year coach Nyki Beuke, the Crusaders outshot Carroll 23-6.

The lone Lansdale Catholic goal came from freshman Mattie Williams, who scored after previously hitting the crossbar only a few plays earlier.

Lansdale Catholic freshman Mattie Williams - PSD Photo by Ryan Nix

“I thought we controlled most of the game with another strong showing from our defense,” Beuke said. “Our center midfielders did a very good job of controlling the middle of the field and creating opportunities for our attackers.”

She credited Kate Oliveri, MacKenzie Marco and Kate Norbury for making some great runs from outside back to create scoring chances.

“The game was very physical,” she said. “A breakdown at the end of the game led to a nice far post goal for Carroll,” Beuke said.

The fortunes changed against Little Flower.

Senior Carolyn Moore paced the 3-0 win with two goals, one on a far post shot that was deflected by the keeper, and a head ball that was played in from midfield by Molly Norbury.

“As soon as I scored the first goal, I knew I wanted another one,” Moore said.

She obviously got her wish.

Mattie Williams, scored for the second consecutive game.

"It definitely helps to build my confidence and it feels good to put the ball in the back of the net,” Williams said.

This win will always be remembered by Beuke since it was her first in the PCL.

“It does feel good to finally get my first win,” she said. “There is always work to be done, but I’m extremely proud of these girls for keeping their heads held high and believing in themselves.”

Most impressive, she added, was that the Crusaders were able to bounce back from the previous three one-goal defeats.

“Our team has talent and heart and they have been giving me 100% effort every time they step on the field,” Beuke said. “They are playing some beautiful soccer and it's a joy to watch them play.”

PCL Standing (Through Thursday, Sept. 21)

Archbishop Ryan 4-0

Archbishop Wood 4-0

Archbishop Carroll 3-1

St. Hubert’s 3-1

Cardinal O’Hara 2-2

Nazareth Academy 2-2

Conwell-Egan 1-3

Lansdale Catholic 1-3

Bonner & Prendie 0-4

Little Flower 0-4