CARDINAL O'HARA 2016 PCL FIELD HOCKEY CHAMPIONS
ASTON, PA- It was a perfect night for the Philadelphia Catholic League Championship field hockey game Wednesday at Neumann University. A perfect atmosphere for an anticipated match between two of the league’s stand-out teams, Archbishop Carroll and Cardinal O’Hara.
During the regular season, there was a three-way tie for first place in Catholic League field hockey, as Cardinal O’Hara, Bonner-Prendergast, and Archbishop Carroll each fielded an 8-1 record. Along the way, O’Hara lost to Carroll, 3-0; Carroll dropped a 5-0 decision to Bonner-Prendergast; and Bonner-Prendergast fell to O’Hara, 2-0. B&P’s win over Carroll gave them a bid to play in the state playoffs for the first time since 2009.
O’Hara defeated Bonner-Prendergast, 2-0, in the semifinals and Carroll 1-0 for the PCL Title once again.
Just a brief background to illustrate just how these three teams came down to two for the final showdown. A showdown indeed...
Carroll huddles around Coach Elisio for instructions during half
Coach Murphy regroups her team before the start of the second half
Fans from team Carroll and team O’Hara could be heard screaming from the stands. Both squads on the sidelines offered cheers of support and words of encouragement to their teammates as they walked onto the playing circle.
Cue the scoreboard.
The intensity of these two teams could be felt as soon as they approached the field.
From the start, Patriot senior captain Sam Swart, who is committed to play at Syracuse University for both field hockey and lacrosse, put the pressure on offensively. Her efforts were continuously thwarted by the intense defensive attacks by Lion mid-fielder Makayla Gallen (University of Virginia commit). Gallen was relentless in making pivotal passes, and driving the ball throughout the entire game.
The second period started with the same momentum as the first.
Carroll put intense pressure around the Lions’ net. Senior goalie Jen Ahearn never rested as repeated shots, one after another, tried to make their way past her post.
Then at the 26:15 mark into the second half, after an O’Hara corner, a struggle, scramble and fall from members of both teams in front of Carroll‘s net sent the ball in free motion. That is when O’Hara senior forward Hannah Nihill, (Drexel commit), made her move and shot the ball to the back of the net sealing the 1-0 victory for the Lions.
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For the remaining 25 minutes on the clock, Carroll remained aggressive trying their best to get the ball passed the strong O’Hara defense. Ahearn recorded 13 saves. Patriot senior goalie Kimmy McGroary recorded 8 saves on the night. But, O’Hara’s defense led by senior captain Emily Quintus and Annemarie Banes could not be shaken. This was the Lions’ third PCL Title win in four years.
The lady Lions will play for the PIAA District 12 3A Title Saturday, Nov. 5th.
(See game highlights and interviews by PSD’s video journalist Steve Bonetz below)