RADNOR, PA – Baldwin’s soccer program is off to a historic undefeated start to their season. The team, lead by head coach Adrian Cox, has pulled off huge non-league wins ranging from Shipley, to Westtown to Lawrenceville, and more recently, a significant victory over Agnes Irwin.
“This game was a huge win for us,” said Cox in reference to Baldwin’s 1-0 victory vs. the Irwins. “People are going to be looking at our results, non-league and now league, and will see that Baldwin is really arriving. We play a nice style of soccer and have a talented group of players.”
Baldwin’s team is a solid mix of talent, ranging from seasoned upperclassmen to rising underclassmen who have been working together and improving as a unit, week by week.
“We have a very young roster, but they have a lot of experience. Our sophomores were all starters last year, so they have 20 to 30 games under their belt,” said Cox. “Last year was a big learning year for them, but now they have matured and grown and they have great leadership in senior captains Kahlaa (Cannady) and Jen (Dietrich) who both have 80 games of experience. Gia Vicari, a sophomore, has 14 goals so far this season, she may be leading the league in goals, but my captains are my rocks.”
Cox explained that his team's success all boils down to their unification on the field and their tenacity of not backing down from competition.
“Our driving force is our belief,” said Cox. “We have a talented group of girls who all know their roles, they all do their jobs and we are a team. We play together, we win together and we share the ball. There’s one ball, 11 players and I tell the girls that it’s nice that we are finding ways to win. This is the greatest start in the history on Baldwin soccer and we have a lot to do, they know that, but we are just going to keep building off of this foundation.”
Gia Vicari scores the sole goal of the game for Baldwin with 8:40 left in regulation
Gia Vicari talks about scoring the winning goal vs. AIS
Baldwin captains, Jen Dietrich & Kahlaa Cannady address what has been the contributing factors of their teams’ success
Although the Bears (9-0 overall and 1-0 in Inter-Ac play) have definitely kick-started their season off on a high note, Cox and his team know that there is still a lot of work left to be settled on the field.
Baldwin vs. AIS (30 Photos)
“We still need to earn respect from a lot of perennial powers like GA (Germantown Academy) and Episcopal Academy and Agnes Irwin. They have a winning history and tradition but I think this is our year that we can really come in and challenge them and get results. But we have a lot of work to do yet to get those results,” said Cox.
Baldwin will get it’s first chance at a heated perennial challenge tomorrow afternoon, as the Bears travel to face Episcopal Academy, the reigning Inter-Ac champions, at 4PM.
The New Face Of AIS Soccer
This season, the Irwins (2-1-1 overall and 0-1-1 in Inter-Ac play) announced a change in position, naming Mike Welsh head soccer coach.
Welsh moved to the United States from a small town near Liverpool in England in 2010. Last year he coached Radnor’s girls’ soccer team, propelling them to their first playoff victory in years.
This season, Welsh is looking forward to building a stable team to continue Agnes Irwin’s winning legacy.
“I was told upon accepting the position, by numerous people, that the school had graduated an incredible class last year and that I would be inheriting a team this year that would need rebuilding,” said Welsh. “My main goal this year is to 'buy-in' some younger players whilst trying to stay competitive - we currently have two freshmen starting in central midfield and one starting at striker, with further freshmen and sophomores throughout the team and on the bench.”
One veteran player in particular, has made Welsh’s transition a little easier. Senior goalkeeper, Kendall Shein, has been a vocal leader for the Irwin’s this season both on and off the field.
“Kendall is one of our most vocal players on the field, which is why she was made one of our captains,” said Welsh. “As well as being a good shot stopper she has excellent feet and is always an option once our defenders find themselves facing our own goal. She is a leader on the field and she will have a big part to play this season.”
One of Kendall Shein's numerous saves
Shein, who is committed to play at Pamona College, made countless saves in the Irwins battle against the Bears, allowing one one goal, which was a rocket from Vicari.
Looking ahead, Agnes Irwin will play another league game away vs. Penn Charter tomorrow afternoon at 4PM.