VILLANOVA, PA--Two periods of regulation and one period of overtime were not enough to decide a winner as Academy of Notre Dame hosted rival Episcopal Academy in Inter-Ac League field hockey action Tuesday afternoon. As a result, a 2-2 score went down in the record book as the final score.
Notre Dame (12-2-3, 7-0-1) entered in to this match undefeated in the league. It had upset EA, 2-1, earlier in the season and just did not play with the same ethic as before.
“We should’ve won,” said ND freshman goalkeeper Paige Kieft. “It was a game of heart.”
With this outcome, EA holds a record of 13-3-1.
“We were more hustled in the second half,” said EA head coach Gina Buggy. “We had good energy. It’s always a tough game with Notre Dame.”
It was a strong first half for the Irish. Senior Ava Leonhardt scored nine minutes in to the action. With just 38 second left in the stanza, Junior Lauren Curran added a goal to make it 2-0.
(photos by Dan McCarty)
Academy of Notre Dame vs. Episcopal Academy
EA came roaring back in the second period. Freshman Sofia Acosta ended her team’s drought with a goal. Senior Olivia Tuma provided the assist. Junior Gianna Pantaleo tied the game midway through the period with Tuma assisting once again.
The remainder of regulation flew by and the score did not change. The game went in to overtime and that did not make a difference either and so this was the first tie of the season for EA and Notre Dame.
“They’re always a really good competition,” said Episcopal Academy junior goalkeeper Caroline Kelly. “We really came together as a team. We stepped up and were able to get corners.”
Kelly along with teammate and senior goalkeeper Bridget Boyle combined for ten saves.
“They played well,” said Buggy. “Bridget had rejections. Caroline played well in the second half. Defense played well, didn’t panic.”
Kieft paced the Notre Dame defense stopping eight shots. She could not have done it without support from her teammates.
“They’re supporting me,” said Kieft. “I can trust them to back me up on shots.”
Inter-Ac League play resumes Friday, October 27, with Episcopal Academy hosting Springside Chestnut Hill Academy at 3:30 PM.
“We still need to get better and make crisper passes with a purpose,” said Buggy.
“It’s going to come down to how much we care,” said Kieft. “We have to come out like we have never won a game.”
Defending PAISAA champion Academy of Notre Dame travels to the home of Germantown Academy today. If the Irish defeat the Patriots, they will clinch a share of the Inter-Ac Title.