George School HC Ginna Lewing getting team ready for game against GFS (Photo/Josh Abrams)
George School & GFS players await inbound during first half action (Photo/Josh Abrams)
By: Josh Abrams
East Falls, Philadelphia – October 17, 2023, showcased a handful of regular season finales across the Friends School League, and on the girls side we had the frontrunner for game-of-the-year.
In a truly classic and thrilling finish that required a second overtime, Germantown Friends School (GFS) emerged victorious over George School, 3-2, thanks to a hat trick from junior midfielder Mia Rutledge.
The win elevates the Tigers into the third seed in the FSL Tournament, where they will travel to second-seeded Moorestown Friends School on Wednesday, October 25th, in a semifinal battle. It was a win-and-get-in situation for MFS and the Tigers came through on their home field to give themselves a chance at a coveted FSL title.
Rutledge's third goal of the game secures win for GFS in double OT (Video/Charlie Myran/GFS Athletics)
George School junior Taylor Whiteside knots game at one apiece in second half (Video/Josh Abrams)
Rutledge was the catalyst behind raising her team into the conference playoffs, but she is the first person to credit those other than herself.
“I feel like most of the plays I make, and what keeps me going is knowing I have my teammates’ support,” she said. “They support me through difficult and non-difficult times; I love my team and that’s why I’m here.”
The game was the epitome of a tale of two halves. Rutledge got her first goal of the game midway through the first half, and generally it was all-GFS in the first 40 minutes of the contest. The Tigers owned the time of possession and had little-to-no issues setting up high-quality scoring chances, while the Cougars struggled to matriculate the ball into GFS’ zone.
Once the second half got underway, George School quickly swung the momentum in their favor. Rutledge realized coming into the game just how tough of a squad the Cougars are and knew whoever fell behind first would not go down quietly.
“I think we finally felt the pressure (from George School),” said Mia. “When the final 10 (minutes) came around we understood it was life or death. The pressure got to us a little bit but we evened the playing field.”
GFS' Mia Rutledge's first goal of the game gives Tigers early 1-0 lead in the first half (Video/Josh Abrams)
Rutledge's second goal breaks tie late in second half (Video/Josh Abrams)
The Cougars were able to knot things up at one goal apiece when junior forward Taylor Whiteside lofted a shot into the top-left corner of the net just over the halfway point of the second half. She used a nifty move with her left foot to lift the ball over her defender, then used that same leg to gently and perfectly place it over GFS goalkeeper Abby Mahler.
GFS HC Manolo Sánchez addressing team before game against George School (Video/Josh Abrams)
Mia Rutledge postgame interview after hat trick saves season in game vs. George School (Video/Josh Abrams)
Most who were in attendance had to be thinking 1-1 going into overtime. George School had shifted the time of possession in their favor and were creating opportunities for themselves, but GFS, despite bending, would not break.
The game only got crazier once we reached the last five minutes. GFS sophomore Sarah Goldberg attacked the net and found Rutledge, whose initial shot was kick-saved by George School goalie Joslynn Brutus. Goldberg and Rutledge stayed with the play, however; the save bounced back to Goldberg, and she nudged the ball over to Rutledge who finished the play.
They play all 80 minutes for a reason, right? Not very long after Rutledge broke the tie with George School, junior midfielder Payton Radosti scored her first goal of the game to even the score yet again. This seemingly low-scoring affair between two teams fighting for a playoff spot was all of a sudden deadlocked at 2-2 going into OT.
GFS needed a win; not even a tie would be enough for the Tigers. The dynamic duo of Goldberg & Rutledge came through on that mission in the second overtime period, connecting again, sealing the victory, and giving Mia perhaps the biggest hat trick of her life.
And if you ask the junior, taking advantage of the opportunity to extend her team’s season is only the start of what could be a long process (in a good way!).
“This is just the beginning for us,” she excitedly said. “We wanted (this game) really badly, especially since last year we lost against George School and I feel like that really hurt, and pushed us through.”