ROSEMONT, PA- Agnes Irwin School maintained a strong lead to secure a 16-7 victory against Springside Chestnut Hill Academy in an Inter-Ac match up Thursday afternoon.
For the Owls, this “W” meant more for the team with the return of key goal keeper and Cornell commit Hailey Andress.
“It was a really good feeling to have a player that has worked so hard to come back on the field after an injury,” said Owls head coach Jenny Duckenfield.
Andress had been out for more than 9 weeks due to a concussion she suffered while in practice.
AIS JUNIOR GOALIE HAILEY ANDRESS TALKS ABOUT HER RETURN TO THE FIELD AFTER BEING OUT DUE TO CONCUSSION.
ANDRESS'S ONE OF 6 SAVES AND SURROUNDED BY HER DEFENSE IN 16-7 WIN OVER SPRINGSIDE CHESTNUT HILL ACADEMY.
ANDRESS TALKS ABOUT HOW HER TEAM AND HOW THEY PLAYED AN IMPORTANT PART IN HER RECOVERY.
The Owls have already been playing without leading goal scorer and senior attack Hanna Keating (Harvard) who’s been out since the Mid-Atlantic part of the year due to a torn ACL.
“Losing her was tough enough,” said Owls head coach Jenny Duckenfield, “but then to lose your starting goalie it kind of really effects the psyche of your team.”
In fact, the Owls’ lineup has been missing 6 of their key starters including junior defenders Alicia O’ Neil (Cornell), Emmie Kiely (Brown), and sophomore defender Kate Chernitsky- all due to injuries.
According to Duckenfield, her team as a whole has gotten stronger through the process.
“Our younger kids have grown so much because of it. They have stepped up and you know it makes you closer when you get over that diversity. It pulls your team a lot closer,” said Duckenfield.
AIS LEAD GAME SCORER KRISTEN BURNETTA (HARVARD COMMIT) TALKS ABOUT THE DYNAMICS OF THIS YEAR'S TEAM AND WORKING THROUGH THE CHALLENGES DUE TO INJURIES.
(photo gallery Agnes Irwin School vs. Springside Chestnut Hill Academy)
After being out all season, Andress was ready.
“I just came out and I felt so loose and so good. It just came right back,” said Andress.
“I just had to like turn off my brain and let my body do what it had to do.”
And do just that, Andress can credit 6 saves, 2 controlled takeaways and 3 groundballs to her name allowing her defense do the rest.
The Owls's offense also complimenting its defense’s boost, scored 9 goals in the first half taking an 8-point lead to SCHA’s one.
SCHA tried their best to rally after the half scoring 6 more goals. But AIS’s offense continued strong securing 7 more goals for the win.
The Owls continue their Inter-Ac league action away against Academy of Notre Dame on April 14th.
SCHA will face Episcopal Academy away on this Tuesday, April 12th.
AIS SCORING
Lila Barker 3g
Kate White 2g
Natalie Pansini 2g
Emily Wills 1a
Emily Fryer 2g
Laura Pansini 1g, 6a
Kristin Burnetta 5g, 2a
Hailey Andress 6 saves, 2ct, 3gb
SCH SCORING
Mikaela Watson: 2g, 1a, 5dc
Taylor Ferry- 3g
R. Redpath - 1g
G. Dunning - 1g
Mason Rode - 1a
Elsa Rall- 8 saves