FORT WASHINGTON, PA – In the first round of the PAISAA field hockey tournament No. 5 Agnes Irwin pulled off an upset against No. 4 Germantown Academy. In the regular season, Germantown defeated the Irwins twice, winning 3-2 and 4-2.
Early on in the first half, Grace Weise scored the first goal for the Iwrins, assisted by Kacy Hogarth. Fighting right back from that goal, Sammy Popper scored to tie up the game for the Patriots.
Throughout the first half both teams played evenly, even though more action occurred down in front of Agnes Irwin’s goal. Julianna Tornetta scored the next goal for the Irwin’s off a corner shot (see video). Then coming right back, Maddie Cooper scored for GA, making it a tie game at 2-2. Weise scored the final goal of the half to put the Irwin’s up 3-2.
Julianna Tornetta scores for AIS off a corner
Sammy Popper scores off a corner for GA
As the second half went underway, Tornetta scored again to increase the Irwin’s lead 4-2. Quickly after, Popper tightened the gap for GA off a corner to make the score 4-3. With just under 10 minutes to play, the game quickly got suspenseful. GA’s offense really stepped it up, but the Irwin’s defense amped up as well. It was a very well-played game by both teams but ultimately ended in the favor of Agnes Irwin.
“We were confident going into this game, we had a series of really good practices and a lead game that helped us work on some things we wanted to implement in this game,” said AIS head coach Alison Brant.
The Irwins played competitively throughout the season against GA. Brant noted her team has worked on connecting on the field with each other, which definitely worked out positively for the Irwin’s team.
“Our philosophy is to treat it like we are 0-0 and haven’t ever played this team before,” said Brant, which has drastically changed her team’s mindset going into this post season tournament.
GA knew coming into this game that they had to hold their own and maintain their level of play.
“This is the best Irwin has played against us,” said coach Jackie Connard.
Agnes Irwin moves on to face No. 1 Notre Dame Academy in the PAISAA semifinals this afternoon. The two teams are set to meet at Notre Dame at 3PM.