BY JEREMY GOODE

(PHOTOS BY KATHY LEISTER)

VILLANOVA, PA-- From 2022-2025, The Baldwin School finished last in the Inter-Ac conference for girls’ soccer. Their combined league record was 2-30-1.

Forget the past.

The 2025 Baldwin team is looking to turn the page after the past three seasons in conference, as they beat Academy of Notre Dame de Namur 2-0 on the road on Wed., Sept. 24 in a consistent light rain.

“It was a big win for us; we have not won a game in the Inter-Ac in a while,” junior striker Makena Lee said. “The team bonding and uplifting each other really goes a long way.”

Make no mistake, this year’s Baldwin team is young. They have no seniors. They have three juniors, five sophomores, and eight freshmen. With its relatively light roster, Baldwin also does not have much depth.

Even so, this Baldwin team has not been fazed by their youth or small roster size. In fact, it has not been an issue this season. After their game at Notre Dame, Baldwin improved to 6-1 this season overall.

They have taken care of business, especially in torching several similar schools that play in the Friends School League. They shut out Friends Central last week, scoring six goals. They traveled to Germantown Friends and handled them comfortably, 4-1. They also shut out Shipley early in September, beating the Gators 1-0.

Lee has been with Baldwin for several years. She played through the struggle of competing in the Inter-Ac.

This game was different. In fact, Baldwin went in fully confident they could grab this game from Notre Dame. That attitude was a long way from their last win in league in 2022.

“Coming into the game, we knew we had to win this game, and we should win this game,” Lee said. “And that’s what we executed on the field today.”

For co-captain Kyla Walker, this game came full circle.

“Last year, we did not have full commitment from some people,” Walker said. “This year, everyone is committed to the program.”

The lack of past commitment somewhat impacted the whole team dynamic in a negative way.

What does “more committed” look like for Baldwin soccer?

Part of it simply comes down to attendance.

“Everyone is willing to show up this year. We are more connected and want to play,” Walker said. “We all enjoy each other, and it really shows on the field.”

The connection of this Baldwin team cannot be missed, as it already has had a positive impact on the team and on the schedule. They took note after their loss to Agnes Irwin, in which they gave up a goal in the first five minutes of play and then kept the opponent scoreless for the last 75 minutes of play.

This time at Notre Dame, they were on the other side.

Just over six minutes into the contest, Baldwin’s freshmen Elise Skawinski shot beyond the 18 just underneath the crossbar for an early goal. Nearly 10 minutes later, Claire Hsia assisted Makena Lee for a goal, as Lee from the left side shot to the right corner and tucked the ball inside the goal post for Baldwin’s second goal.

For a team that struggled to score in conference play over the years, 16 minutes into their match at Notre Dame they already had two scores.

“We’ve been working on a lot of through balls at practice; we score a lot of goals like that in non-league games,” Lee said. “So, really working on through balls have really benefitted us for this game.”

While Baldwin did not score for the remaining 63 minutes after Lee’s goal, they kept on the attack, putting up several competitive shots off strong sets. Lee continued her competitive play throughout the match, displaying her strength in getting to her spots and moving around the field with the ball.

Anaka Boyd-Volz was in net for Baldwin. She earned a clean sheet, along with help from the defense and midfielders in making sure Notre Dame did not score.

It was an all-around effort for Baldwin. The forwards did their job, the midfielders did their job, just like the defenders and goalkeeper did their job.

“I think we played well. I’m very happy with our improvement in how we have been doing throughout the season,” Walker said. “All of our hard work really showed today.”

It is only one league win, but Baldwin is also only two games into conference play. With such a strong result at Notre Dame, it is intriguing to wonder what this Baldwin team can accomplish with this group and nearly a whole Inter-Ac schedule ahead of them.

Nothing is guaranteed, but it feels like the result at Notre Dame really opens opportunities against other teams in the conference.

Time will tell.

“I think we can go far in the PAISAAs this year,” Lee said.

Last year, Baldwin did not qualify for the PAISAA and two years ago they lost in the first round to Shipley.

“This year, I think it’s a different team; a different dynamic of the team as well,” Lee said. “And overall, just more of a hunger. Who knows? Maybe we can win the Inter-Ac too.”