Academy of The New Church 2024 FSL Field Hockey Champions
Photo by Kathy Leister for PSD
By: Josh Abrams
Photos: Kathy Leister
Bryn Athyn, PA - Scoreless at halftime. Deadlocked at one goal apiece, with less than 90 seconds remaining in regulation.
Make no mistake about it; Tuesday night's epic showdown in the 2024 FSL field hockey title game between Westtown School and Academy of the New Church had everything you could ask for in a meeting for the Friends School League Championship.
The only thing missing was overtime. But with 75 seconds showing on the scoreboard at Terry & Eileen Glenn Field, ANC sophomore forward Olivia Sweigard took a pass from senior teammate Ayla Mergen and scored to give the Lady Lions a 2-1 lead, ensuring no such overtime period would take place.
Postgame Interview with ANC'S Olivia Sweigard, whose late-game heroics won the FSL title for her team (Video by Josh Abrams for PSD)
Sweigard converts late in the fourth quarter to give ANC 2-1 lead with 75 seconds remaining (Video by Josh Abrams)
"We just kept shooting over and over again; it wasn't working," said Sweigard. "Everyone was like 'pass (the ball) out, pass out,' and I said 'here, you got me,' and I just flicked it up and it went in the top corner."
Sweigard, her teammates & coaches, and everyone else in support of ANC jumped and screamed in celebration.
If the Lady Lions could hold on for just those 75 seconds, history would be made.
ANC didn't just hold on; they managed to gain control of the ball, preventing Westtown from putting any sort of pressure on the hosts in the final minute. Once the clock reached all-zeros, the team ran onto the field towards goaltender Abby Szafran with open arms, joined by the student section who was vocal in their support throughout the game.
ANC's Mary Vandegrift reflects on 2-1 victory in FSL championship over Westtown (Video by Josh Abrams)
"It feels amazing, especially under the lights," expressed junior forward Mary Vandegrift, who opened the scoring in the early stages of the second half. "My whole family was here, so it means a lot to have the love and support of everyone. Just winning with my girls, it means the world to me."
This game truly could have gone either way - ANC led for just 2 minutes and 30 seconds before Westtown's Reese Masiello evened the score and put the Moose on the board after Vandegrift's goal. It was the first goal the Lady Lions conceded all season, only adding to the continued dominance put on display by head coach Sarah Waelchli's girls.
"I think we came out really aggressive - we really just wanted that win," Vandegrift added. "Going into the huddles after halftime and each quarter, the bottom line is we win and lose together as a team. I think what helped us win this game was us sticking together."
Westtown's Reese Masiello gets Moose on the board and ties the game in the third quarter (Video by Josh Abrams)
Academy of the New Church's success in field hockey is no coincidence. They appeared in their fourth consecutive title game, and took home the 10th FSL championship in their program's history. Not quite as dominant as their five-peat from 2012-16, and six-in-seven by adding another in 2018. Nevertheless, they can now call themselves back-to-back champions.
"For me and the whole team, it's really rewarding to come together and win," Sweigard said. "It was really important that we won for our seniors so that they could finish out their year with a win, and they can say they won the championship."
Final buzzer sounds, ANC FH runs onto field in celebration after clinching 2024 FSL Title (Video by Josh Abrams)
Although this was the final FSL game of the 2024 season, both teams' seasons are not done just yet. As if ANC and Westtown could not get enough of each other this season; they will meet one last time in the Commonwealth Cup, at a site and time to be determined. The winner will face the winner of the other semifinal, which features Penn Charter and fellow FSL foe, Friends Central.
