BY AIDAN TYKSINSKI
(PHOTO/VIDEO BY LENNIE MALMGREN)
VILLANOVA, PA--When Academy of Notre Dame entered their game Friday at home, there was a lot on the line for the Irish. MaxPrep had the team at number three in the country going into the matchup, and their 14-game winning streak and undefeated conference record was at stake. The Episcopal Academy went into the game second in the Inter-AC and ranked 18th in the state. On paper, this was set up to be a terrific matchup and it did not disappoint.
The play on the field was even better than expected. Both teams scored a first quarter goal, then both defenses stiffened up. Notre Dame had many chances to get the lead back, but each time the Churchwomen’s defense made a key stop to keep the tie going.
By the 4th quarter, the intensity continued with defense by both teams in high gear. But after another failed corner, the Irish got the ball back with a quick inbounds play and got the ball into the middle of the crease.
Academy of Notre Dame vs. Episcopal Academy. (Highlights by Lennie Malmgren for PSD)
After both teams fought for possession, the ball trickled to sophomore Maeve McGinley, who had snuck around the back of the defense. McGinley calmly placed a shot past EA’s goalkeeper Payton Smith to give the Irish a 2-1 lead with 9 minutes remaining.
“It was a team effort,” said McGinley after the game. “It started with our defenders and made its way up, and then I put it in.”
Maeve McGinley Talks about Game Winning Goal. (Video/ Aidan Tyksinski)
McGinley's Game winning Goal. (video/ Aidan Tyksinski for PSD)
That same defense held strong throughout the rest of the game, keeping Episcopal’s attack at bay and being a deciding factor in the team’s 2-1 victory.
With goal scoring at a minimum, it felt like any goal could have been the winner, and both teams' defenses seemed to know it.
The Irish were able to get on the board first after a Notre Dame restart. Reese Milone had a great first shot, but Smith made a nice save to keep the ball in play. Unfortunately for EA, the rebound went to sophomore Casey McCormick, who placed the shot past Smith to give the Irish a 1-0 lead.
EA would soon have a chance after a penalty in the crease set up a corner. The first pass went to senior and Boston College commit Caroline Powell, who then sent a laser to teammate Sydney Powell to the right of the goal. Powell stuck out her stick just as the ball came her way, which then shot up past Notre Dame’s goalkeeper Elanna Duff to tie the game. This would be the last goal scored until McGinley’s game winning shot.
Even after giving up the early lead, the Irish never got down on themselves. “We just had to keep our composure. They’re a really good team so we had to stay strong and play till the end,” said McGinley.
Academy of Notre Dame's Casey McCormick's goal. (video/ Aidan Tyksinski)
EA's goal by Sydney Powell assisted by Caroline Powell. (video/ Aidan Tyksinski)
The win improved the Irish’s record to 15-1. With a quest for the Inter-Ac title insight and only two league games remaining, Notre Dame remains undefeated in conference play with an 8-0 record.
After yesterday's 3-0 victory against Germantown Academy, The Churchwomen are 6-2 in conference play with an overall record of 11-6.
League play wraps up on Oct. 29th. State Playoffs begin on Nov. 1.
