archbishop Carroll 2024 PCL Field Hockey Champions
Archbishop Carroll 2024 PCL Champions. (Photo by Lennie Malmgren for PSD)
BY MIKE LIVINGSTON
(PHOTOS BY LENNIE MALMGREN FOR PSD)
ASTON, PA – The first thing that comes to mind for many when they think of Archbishop Carroll sports is its perpetually great girls' lacrosse program.
With 23 consecutive Philadelphia Catholic League titles and four straight state titles at the 2A level, the Carroll girls' lacrosse team has built one of the greatest dynasties in local high school sports. In their off season, some of those lacrosse players have crossed over to hone their skill sets in field hockey.
“As a coach, I have a handful of field hockey players,” said second-year head coach Deanna Golden. “I had to make sure I spread them out, but then utilizing the talents of each of these other athletes and finding (where) the best fit is.
“It took us some time to figure out how to balance everything.”
A balance Golden indeed achieved.
The Patriots earned their fourth consecutive PCL field hockey title and fifth in their last six appearance in the championship match with a 2-0 win over Bonner-Prendergast Saturday afternoon on the campus of Neumann University.
Some of Golden's senior leaders consist of players such as Kate O’Neill (Villanova), Claire Sexton (William & Mary), and Gracie Kucia (Neumann), who are all committed to playing lacrosse at the collegiate level along with juniors Maggie O’Neill (St. Joe’s) and Riley Formica, also a St. Joe's commit.
For Carroll seniors, along with winning a Catholic League and state title in lacrosse all three years of their high school careers, they have now taken home the PCL plaque in field hockey all four years while barely breaking a sweat in their “offseason sport."
Finishing off the lineup for the Pats are juniors Astrid Davis and Emma Grant, senior Chloe Schultz, and sophomore Morgan Wood. Davis and Shultz also play lacrosse.
The Rematch
This was an all-too-familiar scene for these two teams. They met in a league contest last Tuesday in a battle of the unbeatens, with both vying for first place in the PCL. In that game, the Patriots claimed the 2-0 victory on the backs of O’Neill and Wood, who buried both goals for the win.
This was the first time since 2018 that Carroll was the first seed coming into the playoffs.
Carroll vs. Bonner in game on October 15th.(PSD video by Justin Maldonado & Mike Livingston)
“This year was a bit more difficult,” said Golden. “And despite what anybody says about competition, when you come into this game, it’s always going to be tight. It's always going to be a hard game despite levels.”
Golden, a Carroll graduate and field hockey standout in her own right, is no stranger to competition. During her time at Carroll, Golden earned a four-time All-Catholic selection and an MVP distinction as a senior. She knew this match consisted of a totally different atmosphere, especially against a tough Bonner team.
“Part of my team’s talks in between these quarters was this is for the championship," said Golden. "This isn’t playing Bonner-Prendie on a Tuesday night like last week. This is for everything."
Following a hotly contested first period, those talks proved fruitful. And it a deja vu moment, it was Wood who once again gave the Patriots an early 1-0 lead with about 10:32 to go in the second quarter of play. As a freshman, Wood recorded a hat trick against Cardinal O’Hara in the 5-1 championship win last season.
The Pandas did not let up and began to take control of the ball a bit more and got a couple of big shots on goal right before the half. Bonner-Prendie junior goalie Georgie Mariani make some key saves during the heated contest.
Goalie Fiona Conboy made some big saves to help the Lady Pats hold onto the lead.
It was junior Lucy Sedgwick who would end up icing the game with 5:05 left in the fourth period and making it a 2-0 final in favor of the Patriots.
Archbishop Carroll vs. Bonner-Prendergast in PCL Championship Final Match, (Video/ Lennie Malmgren for PSD)
Following Sedgwick’s assurance goal, Carroll was able to keep the ball out of the sticks of Bonner-Prendie for the remaining five minutes. Conboy continued to lead the defense in saves to help the Lady Pats hold onto the lead.
Archbishop Carroll head Coach Deanna Golden is proud of her team and wants to see the success of the program continue, (video/ Mike Livingston)
From (l to R) Carroll's Lucy Sedgwick and Morgan Wood can't contain their excitement after winning 4th Consecutive Title. (video/ Mike Livingston)
Conboy sealed the shutout with one last key save about 20 seconds left in the contest.
The Patriots will move on to face Benjamin Rush Oct. 29 in the District XII 2A semifinals.
The Pandas clinched the District XII 1A championship and will compete in the opening round of state playoffs Nov. 5th.
2024 Field Hockey Championship Game Day Photos. For more photos of both teams by Lennie Malmgren (Click Here)
