It was a championship game if Notre Dame and Episcopal have ever seen one. The nail-biting Pennsylvania Interscholastic Schools Athletic Association championship ended with an overtime 3-2 Irish win.
The third and final matchup of the field hockey rivals took place at Bryn Mawr College, leaving both teams at a disadvantage without their home fields.
Notre Dame was looking for a three-peat after beating Episcopal twice during the regular season.
After a slow start, Notre Dame senior co-captain Mary Kate Neff put the Irish on the board with a goal assisted by senior co-captain Quinn Maguire.
Maguire quickly fired another goal into the back of the net to give the Irish a 2-0 lead with about 10 minutes left in the first half.
Both teams proved why they were the final contenders for the PAISAA plaque, exhibiting great ball movement and stick skills during the fast-paced game.
Determined to answer Notre Dame, Episcopal’s Lexie Fisher took advantage of an empty goal during a corner and ended the shutout.
With two minutes before halftime, Episcopal's momentum picked up and the Churchwomen had a two-on-one breakaway that could have tied up the game.
Notre Dame's junior goalkeeper Katie Liebeskind came out to challenge the girls, leaving an open goal. Senior Ryan Loftus quickly took her place and stopped a pivotal goal.
Episcopal returned from halftime fired up. Less than a minute into the second half Fisher tied up the game. From there it was a back and forth battle with no clear leader.
As afternoon turned into evening, the game headed into overtime.
Notre Dame's Quinn Maguire
Save made on two-on-one chance
With just under four minutes left in the sudden-death seven on seven period, Maguire scored the final goal of the season for the Irish. It was her 100th point this season.
"We knew it was going to be a hard game coming into it because how good EA is and just that we won in overtime made it so much better,” Maguire said. “It was a relief.”
Both teams left the field with missed opportunities. The Churchwomen had four consecutive corners prior to Maguire's goal.
"It was a thrilling game, could've gone in either direction,” Episcopal head coach Gina Buggy said. “I'm proud of the way the kids competed and disappointed in the outcome.”
Notre Dame head coach Adele Williams
Notre Dame head coach Adele Williams said Episcopal had a chip on its shoulder because they were the PAISAA defending champions.
"I think it was so fitting of a championship game,” Williams said. “I just kept reminding my girls the season is done. It's one game. We got to go out there and play. I just know that I have girls that will not give up.”
The Irish ended their season as both Inter-Ac and PAISAA champions. Williams added that this team set the bar high for next year, but for now she's going to enjoy the win.