Agnes Irwin Team Introductions:
Episcopal Academy Team Introductions:
RADNOR, PA – In their first two regular season meetings against Agnes Irwin, Episcopal Academy’s girls’ lacrosse team came away with hard earned victories. Since losing both games to the 2017 Inter-Ac champions, the Irwins have been dedicating their practices to preventing Episcopal’s dominant offensive attack, knowing that they would meet again in the Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association girls’ lacrosse state tournament.
“EA runs an amazing attack. They are really great on the cutters and back door cuts…For the past month we’ve been working on stopping those cutters,” said Agnes Irwin’s senior goalie Hailey Andress.
2017 PAISAA Highlight Video & Award Presentation:
Seems like the month-long preparation was well worth it.
Yesterday afternoon at Cabrini University, the Owls shut down the Churchwomen’s offense in the first half of the PAISAA championship. Agnes Irwin’s strong defensive hold ultimately enabled them to come away with a 14-7 victory and gold state medals.
“Although EA won the battles, we won the war today,” said Agnes Irwin’s head coach, Jenny Duckenfield. “We controlled the draw, blocked on cutters and slowed down their [EA’s] fast break…We had to put our shoulders back and dig deep. We couldn’t get ourselves defeated if we made a mistake. We had to come back, fight hard and fix it.”
AIS Hailey Andress Post Game Interview
AIS Sydney Wolfington Post Game Interview
EA head coach Josie Ferri stands between Katie Crager (left) and Taylor Lucey (right) after the girls achieved their career goals/points vs. Baldwin (May 3, 2017) - photo courtesy of EA Athletics
Agnes Irwin junior Sydney Wolfington led the Owls on offense with 5 first half goals to give the Irwins an 11-3 edge heading into the half. Lila Barker (3), Natalie Pansini (1), Alex Hark (1) and Kacy Hogarth (1) also contributed first half goals for the Irwins.
EA’s Olivia Dirks, Ally Marino and Katie Crager tallied the Churchwomen’s three goals in the first half.
Although Episcopal trailed by 8, the Churchwomen came out of the half on fire. Juniors Olivia Tuma and Marino, followed by freshman Devon Whitaker, scored three unanswered goals to tighten the gap 11-6 with 16 minutes remaining in the game.
Despite their strong offensive push, the deficit was too much for EA to overcome. Hark, Maria Pansini and Emily Wills added additional goals to enhance the Irwin’s lead, bringing home the PAISAA title.
“Our team motto is always ‘Earn the jersey and finish strong. And that your last game needs to be your best game.’ And this year we accomplished that,” said Duckenfield. “I’d like to thank my assistant coaches, Jen Raech, Alex Duckenfield, Summer O’Donnell, Kelly Chandler, Emily Maher and Maggie Forker.”
While placing second in the state tournament is not the ending the Churchwomen had hoped for, one loss certainly does not define a season.
“I am so proud of our team and the way they handled themselves in the face of adversity today. They never gave up and they represented Episcopal Academy through their grit, positivity, and sportsmanship. While our last game wasn't a win, it certainly can't take away from all we've accomplished this season,” said EA’s head coach Josie Ferri.
Episcopal Academy went undefeated in Inter-Ac play this season – garnering them an outright Inter-Ac title. Two Churchwomen in particular also set outstanding individual accomplishments this season. Senior co-captain and Virginia Commonwealth University commit, Taylor Lucey scored her 100th career goal, 100th career assist and 200th career point this season. Junior attack Katie Crager, who scored EA’s final second half goal, also had a record setting season. The Georgetown University commit notched her 200th career point and is on track to score her 200th goal next season.
"Katie demonstrates such selflessness in her play. While she is an individually powerful attacker, she also makes all her teammates around her better. I think that her work ethic and determination really inspires her teammates. We are certainly lucky to have her with the program another year," said Ferri.
2017 PAISAA Championship Photos
Next year, each team will be returning another strong batch of starters - some are already eager to make a statement.
“I think next season we are going to come out on a rise and be really hype, especially after this big win. So I think we are going to do well, play together as a team and come out on top,” said Agnes Irwin junior Sydney Wolfington.
AIS Goals:
Sydney Wolfington – 5
Lila Barker – 3
Alex Hark – 2
Natalie Pansini – 1
Kacy Hogarth – 1
Maria Pansini – 1
Emily Wills – 1
EA Goals:
Katie Crager – 2
Ally Marino – 2
Olivia Dirks – 1
Olivia Tuma – 1
Devon Whitaker – 1