Girls’ LAX: Hannah Keating Shines In Agnes Irwin’s Win Over Penn Charter
RADNOR, PA - When the white twine flashed backward and her shot was clearly a goal Thursday night, Hannah Keating turned and looked for her teammates.
She didn’t have to search long, because her lacrosse sisters, arms raised to the heavens and smiles as wide as their facial muscles could stretch, were streaming toward her with reckless abandon.
A helicopter pilot hovering overhead the brightly lit Radnor Memorial Park Turf Field might have mistaken Agnes Irwin’s reaction as a game-winning goal, but there were still 8 minutes, 42 seconds remaining in the first half, and the score between Agnes Irwin and rival Penn Charter was only tied at 3-3.
Oh, about the rest of the game . . .
The defending PAISAA-champion Owls eventually seized the lead, carried a 7-5 lead into halftime, expanded it steadily midway through the second half, and secured an important 12-7, Inter-Academic League victory that kept the the two-time defending champs one game behind Episcopal Academy in the standings.
Despite its overall importance, this night celebrated the return of Keating, arguably the greatest scholastic lacrosse player to ever compete in the tri-state area.
“I am so glad,” said Keating, “to be back.”
Welcome Back! Hannah Keating scores her first goal of the season
Hannah Keating talks about her first goal of the year
Hannah Keating scores her second goal of the season
Hannah Keating talks about her recovery from injury
Kate White talks about playing under the lights and keeping composure
Kristin Burnetta talks about the preparation coming into the game
Coach Jenny Duckenfield talks about Hannah Keating's return.
A bit less than eight months ago, coinciding with the commencement of fall soccer, Keating tore the anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee. The injury was a devastating blow for the Harvard University-bound senior and reigning national lacrosse player of the year.
After grueling rehabilitative therapy that enveloped the final month of last summer, the entire fall and winter, and the first month of spring, Keating was cleared to practice on Wednesday.
The very next day, she opted to immediately return to game competition versus Penn Charter.
“No way I wasn’t going to play,” said Keating. “I’m obviously rusty. I hit the post a couple of times and I missed a couple of passes and stuff. It’s going to take probably a couple of weeks to get back into it.”
It didn’t take the affable star too long to provide an impact. With 8:42 remaining in the first half, Keating scored from in close to forge a 3-3 tie. Exactly one minute, 28 seconds later, Keating scored again to give Agnes Irwin (8-4 overall, 4-1 league) a 5-3 lead over the suddenly overwhelmed Quakers (6-2, 3-2).
The two tallies left Keating only seven goals shy of 300 for her career. It also left her coach, Jenny Duckenfield, captivated in appreciation of what her star performer has brought to the Agnes Irwin program.
“Hannah has been working so hard to get back, and when she tore her ACL, we didn't think we were gonna have her on the field,” said Duckenfield. “So when she stepped on the field tonight, and she scored that goal, it was jubilation on the sidelines.
“I could see all the parents, all of her teammates . . . it was like we won the championship. It was just so great to see her overcome that and score the goal. I'm so proud of Hannah.”
Among Keating’s teammates joining in the spotlight were senior Kristin Burnetta (two goals, three assists), senior Laura Pansini (two goals, one assist), Lila Barker (two goals, one assist), senior Kate White (two goals), and goalie Hailey Andress (six saves).
“We were really prepared for this game,” said Burnetta. “Coach ‘Duck’ gave us a really strong game plan. We executed really well. Even when we fell behind, 3-1, we weren’t worried about it.
“We don’t think about it as individuals, but as a whole team. Our job is to work together, and we did that tonight.”
As for Keating’s return?
“That was definitely something special,” said Burnetta, who will join Keating at Harvard in the fall. “We were really happy for her. It was awesome to have her back.”
Keating attempts to keep every accomplishment in check, but she realized that it was impossible to understate scoring two goals in her return.
“It felt really good,” Keating said with a smile. “The PT and surgery was really hard, so it’s really rewarding.”
(John Knebels can be reached at jknebels@gmail.com.)
Looking Ahead: Agnes Irwin will host Germantown Academy on Tuesday April 26th at 3:30PM. Penn Charter’s next league match-up will be on Friday April 29th against Springside-Chestnut Hill at 3:30PM.