BY MIA MESSINA
VILLANOVA, PA--For the fourth year in a row, Academy of Notre Dame will take home the Inter-Academic League title.
With a 18-1 record, 9-0 in the Inter-Ac, the Irish secured the sole spot at the top of the league for the third year, sharing a piece of the title with Episcopal Academy in the 2022-23 season.
The title is the third in as many years under head coach Brandi Ritz, who took over for long-time head coach Adele Williams following the 2022 season.
“[Williams] built up a really excellent program, and I've just kind of taken that and kind of embodied what she's done,” Ritz said. “I'm very lucky to have really good leadership each year. I think that's just what keeps us going, is putting people in those leadership spots to make the rest of the team better.”
Academy of Notre Dame in Game vs. Germantown Academy. (video/ Mia Messina for PSD)
Part of the team’s leadership this year is senior forward Maura Seeger who said while the coaches are doing their part to help the team succeed, the players are showing up ready to compete.
“They hold us to a high standard,” Seeger said. “That's kind of what's shaped us and what's helped us keep this dynasty, keep this name for ourselves.”
The league title was clinched when the Irish defeated Germantown Academy 8-0 at home on Friday, Oct. 24th.
Despite going undefeated in the league with one more game to play against Agnes Irwin, Ritz and Seeger said they’re constantly seeing good competition within the Inter-Ac which in turn helps make them a stronger team.
Academy of Notre Dame in Game vs. Germantown Academy. (Photos/ Mia Messina for PSD)
“Inter-Ac it's a very competitive league, and I feel like each team really shows up, especially at each Inter-Ac game,” Seeger said. “I know, EA, they have an amazing team, and they always show up whenever we play them, same with Agnes Irwin. So, I feel like it's always fun to play them, because it's good competition, and it's always a good game.
But it’s not just the league that the Irish find themselves at the top of. For the third ranking in a row, Max Field Hockey had Notre Dame at the top of the high school rankings nationwide, as of Oct. 14.
Seeger said the non-league competition the Irish face helps prepare them for the Inter-Ac games and the postseason.
“It really keeps us on our toes, because we don't always play the same teams every year,” Seeger said. “I feel like it's just good competition and good exposure to other regions of the area.”
Along with their success in high school, Academy of Notre Dame has set many of their players up for further success in their career as well.
Seeger, a University of Richmond commit, is just one of several players on the Irish who is committed to continue her field hockey career at the next level.
Ritz said, once again, this comes back to their competitive spirits and the “winning excellence” the team values.
“They compete with each other. I'm tough on them. They're tough on each other. They hold each other accountable,” Ritz said. “That's sort of the team first culture here. They hold each other accountable. They want to win.”
As for the underclassmen returning, Seeger said she has confidence in the team she’s leaving behind after this season.
“Even if you're a freshman or sophomore, junior, senior, everyone wants what's best for each other and everyone. It doesn't matter what grade you are. We always say whoever's on the field, we trust them. We know that they're capable of doing anything,” Seeger said. “Instilling that confidence in each other really helps, and I think that's what's gonna help keep us at the top.”
ND SR. Maura Seeger and head Coach Brandi Ritz talk about this season and Team Accountability being the Key to their Success. (video/ Mia Messina)
Around the league, the rest of the teams are preparing for the post season as well. Episcopal Academy, who is second in the standings, will take on Springside Chestnut Hill Academy on Tuesday. Currently, Episcopal has a 16-2 overall, 6-2 Inter-Ac record whereas the Blue Devils have an 11-6-1, 5-4 Inter-Ac record and defeated the nationally ranked Hill School 3-2 on Friday.
The 14-3 overall, 5-3 Inter-Ac Agnes Irwin defeated fellow league team Penn Charter 8-1 on Thursday which led Penn Charter to fall to 1-8 in league play and 5-9 overall. Agnes Irwin will face Notre Dame on Tuesday.
Germantown Academy, moves to 0-9 in the league after its loss to the Irish on Friday and are now 7-12 overall.