BY JEREMY GOODE
(Photos by Chelby Elam for PSD)
RADNOR, PA--The Episcopal Academy girl’s soccer team in recent years has not lost many matches. So, losing two matches last week was a bit uncharacteristic for the defending Inter-Ac and state champions from last season. After falling to Springside Chestnut Hill and Westtown, the Churchwomen needed a strong bounce back game against Agnes Irwin on Tues., Oct. 9. Agnes Irwin is a young Inter-Ac rival which also has the goal of winning the league this year.
Episcopal rebounded, beating the Owls 1-0 with a quick goal in the 13th minute by Maya Bright, assisted by Addie Chang. It was the Churchwomen’s first conference win since shutting out Germantown Academy 11 days earlier.
The difference between the win against Agnes Irwin and the two losses from the previous week?
“I think it was our positivity, especially coming from the bench,” Ava Novelli said. “Our communications with one another on the field, and our energy level and our aggression.”
Episcopal Academy vs. Agnes Irwin. (Photo/ Jeremy Goode)
It makes sense too. Both teams knew they were competing for the conference title, and Episcopal’s promptly putting a shot in the back of Agnes Irwin’s net just 13 minutes in foreshadowed the urgency and aggression the Churchwomen would play with for 80 minutes.
After a turnover outside of the Owl’s box, Chang was able to feed Bright at the top of the key, who finished high right for the goal.
“I just saw the opportunity to take a shot,” Bright said. “In this type of game, you just have to do it because they’re such a powerful team and getting there at the right moment, the right time is so important. Luckily it went in.”
Ava Novelli talks about team being ready and aggressive against a strong Agnes Irwin squad. (Video/ Jeremy Goode for PSD)
The value of getting the quick advantage was not lost on anyone playing for Episcopal. Every unit feels the positive impact, easing tensions and pushing the team in the right direction.
For defender Abby Schwartz, the early advantage for Episcopal definitely influenced the backline in a positive way, leading them to finish the next 67 minutes scoreless, shutting out Agnes Irwin and earning a win through defense.
“It definitely took a lot of the pressure off for us [defenders],” Schwartz said. “We were coming in a little bit nervous coming off two losses, so Maya scoring that goal was huge and it just gave us a lot of momentum, energy, and positivity, which is really what we need.”
In thinking about their back to back losses, the overall outcome does not necessarily tell the full story. To add context, their first loss last week was on the road against a Springside Chestnut Hill team that has realistic aspirations to win the conference this year. Their second loss two days later came against Westtown, another powerhouse program that won the Friends League last year and lost to Episcopal in the state finals, 1-0.
Maya Bright talks about lone game-winning goal. (Video/ Jeremy Goode for PSD)
Additionally, the Churchwomen fell by only 1-0 in both matches, holding strong on defense and just not able to get on the board offensively.
With this unusual situation in which Episcopal was not being outplayed but was also not winning matches, Schwartz mentioned how important it was for the defensive unit to respond, which led to a shutout against a great Agnes Irwin team.
“I think we took it a little personally,” Schwartz said. “Work for our teammates, work for our midfielders, work for our strikers. We just didn’t want to give up a goal again because it gets down on us mentally. So, we brought 110% energy.”
While Novelli helped on defense as a midfielder, she credited the backline and goalie play for their effort and ability to halt a competitive Agnes Irwin offense featuring many dynamic players.
“They played a big role,” Novelli said. “[Agnes Irwin] had a couple really good attacking players, and we shut them down pretty easily.”
Abby Schwartz explains how defense played an important role in victory. (Video/ Jeremy Goode for PSD)
Agnes Irwin offensively is led by freshman Dylan Ohm, a quick forward who can finesse her way around any defense. The Owls are also led by fellow freshmen Carly Barnes, Colby Costa, and Olivia Rife, all in whom can be offensive forces to go along with Ohm and other teammates.
With that in mind, it is not easy to keep the Owls in front of anyone. Going into the match, Agnes Irwin was 10-1, and undefeated in conference play at 5-0.
“It was very difficult. We knew you fly out hard and they’re going to turn and do moves,” Schwartz said. “We give them space, they’re going to go past us. So, we knew we had to be composed… and keep them in front of us.”
Aside from Bright’s goal, Episcopal had a strong showing offensively throughout the entire match. Novelli recorded several shots on net that just missed. Sofia Gagliardi had a shot during the 52nd minute that just sailed over the crossbar. Kate Dente had a few strong runs on goal, as well as Bridget Dempsey and Bright.
Episcopal goalkeeper Lauren Creamer would collect another clean sheet after being tested through both halves. The win at Agnes Irwin is Creamer’s six shutout of the season.
With their backs against the wall, and following the lead of Novelli and Schwartz, Bright knew Episcopal had to push it in terms of effort and desire to be better than Agnes Irwin.
“We wanted to win this game and we put our all into winning every single ball,” Bright said. “Working together as a team and powering through everything together, that’s how we win.”
Episcopal Academy vs. Agnes Irwin (video highlights by Jeremy Goode for PSD)
Even with the strong win at Agnes Irwin, Episcopal is not satisfied going forward. After the previous week, they know they cannot get complacent after losing two consecutive matches.
“Of course we’re staying humble, there are always other games after this” Bright said. “We’re coming into every game harder and harder, especially after the loss to SCH. It’s one game at a time and we’re just going to come and give it all we have.”
