WYNNEWOOD, Pa. - Friends' Central’s goalie, junior Sophia Bozzone, was 23 saves away from 500 career saves as the Phoenix hosted the Central High School Lancers on Sept. 13.
Bozzone will have to wait at least until the Phoenix’s next game to reach 500 saves after recording seven saves against the Lancers, while also contributing to the Phoenix’s second win of the week as they dominated the Lancers 5-1.
“The game plan was about team dynamic and trusting each other on the field,” Friends' Central head coach Lisa Mansure said. “The girls working together as a unit… and encouraging each other to play their best game today. And they definitely showed that.”
Friends' Central goalie, junior Sophia Bozzone - PSD Photo by Jeremy Goode
For the first 25 minutes, the Phoenix dominated possession and field position. They were able to record several shots on net, although none hit the nylon net. For attempt after attempt, several plays ended up with the ball in front of the Central High goal, but Friends' Central was simply unable to finish off the play.
Senior attacker Maia Sevin had had enough, and with 3:23 seconds left in the second quarter she finished by putting a ball in the back of the net to give the Phoenix their first goal of the afternoon and a 1-0 advantage.
They would not look back. That goal by Sevin might have been the confidence booster the team needed to finish off more shots on nets for goals.
“We were really focusing on taking those chances and taking those shots from the start of the game, we kind of took that initiative and had that drive,” Sevin said. “So, I think that I was building off of my teammate’s energy.”
Maia Sevin Scores for Friends Central
Aarin McIntosh Interview
Talk about building off energy. Sevin would add another goal 90 seconds later to send Friends' Central up 2-0 at halftime, which felt like a commanding lead.
Friends' Central would continue their offensive push, and their possession and position domination, into the third quarter. The taste of Sevin’s two goals in the first half proved to the Phoenix they could score at a high rate -- it was just about finishing plays.
And that’s what Aarin McIntosh was able to do 10 minutes into the third, scoring a goal after Central High failed to clear it out of their zone. McIntosh, who is usually a midfielder but was moved to attack in the second half, had been knocking on the door all game with several shots on net. She was finally able to bury one, putting the Phoenix up 3-0.
“I had confidence in my stick skills; my teammates were able to get it into the circle…” McIntosh said. “Being on stroke, just waiting for the ball to come to me and having confidence in my shot.”
McIntosh was certainly confident, as she would net her second goal of the afternoon to make it a 5-0 Phoenix lead heading into the final frame including the hat trick by Sevin.
Maia Sevin Interview
Sophia Bozzone Interview
Defensively, the Phoenix stood strong. Bozzone was able to save seven of eight shots. Alana Laver controlled the back line, often clearing loose balls at midfield or battling Central High ball handlers in Phoenix territory, while eventually forcing a turnover and clearing the ball away from Friends' Central’s goal.
“Our defense is incredible; it’s been incredible, we have an amazing defensive line and an amazing sweeper.” Sevin said. “Beyond their stick work and their confidence with the ball, they do such a good job of getting back.”
Sevin added that defenses often get overlooked.
“Our defense can’t get overlooked. They are what makes this team so special,” Sevin said.
For Bozzone, she will wait until next game to record her 500th save, still needing just 16. While the junior sweeper is eager to accomplish the milestone, she was able to look beyond it and acknowledge the importance of how well the team played in front of her while still doing her own job in front of goal.
“It is pretty good that I did not get much action because it means my team was doing great,” Bozzone said. “I’ve been working, so as soon as the ball comes down I need to know where I am going to be… preparing in advanced and knowing what’s coming.
It is a role Bozzone takes seriously, one which her own coach noticed from the rather unusual beginning of Bozzone’s career in net.
Mansure asked the team during Bozzone’s freshman year if anyone was interested in playing in goal. Friends' Central did not have a single goalie at the time. Without hesitation, Bozzone raised her hand and offered to play there for “two or three games.” She would not look back.
“Next thing you know, it was four or five games; the whole season,” Mansure said. “She stepped in naturally doing a really good job, and even wanted to get her own equipment and worked hard to save money, so she is really committed and a team player.”
It is not lost on Sevin or her teammates the incredible impact Bozzone has made in net for Friends' Central. They have learned a lot from Bozzone, and they have benefitted from the 484 saves that otherwise would have been goals. Her play has altered the success of the program over the last few seasons.
So, the Phoenix wait another game for Bozzone to reach her milestone. While you will not hear anything from Bozzone herself due to her extreme humility, according to Mansure and Sevin, everyone is aware of the saves number she is at and the significance of her play. Behind the scenes, there has been a lot of talk and chatter what to do when Bozzone saves her 500th shot. There is no question that the Phoenix will celebrate it. Sevin confirms that the team has some ideas on how to honor their goalie.
“That’s a surprise, so I’m not going to go into it.”