NEWTOWN SQUARE--The Episcopal Academy Churchwomen came out strong when they hosted the Penn Charter Quakers in Inter Ac League field hockey action on Friday, September 21. The team managed to keep it that way all throughout the competition and prevailed with a 6-0 shutout.
The victory also included a hat trick by EA senior defender and Denison University commit (lacrosse) Annie Rau.
“Coming out strong got us the goals,” said Rau, who also accounted for the first goal of the afternoon. “We make sure we have support in the circles for strong hitters. We were able to elaborate.”
Rau finished with a total of three goals in the game. She also had one assist. EA is currently 1-0-1 (league) after tying 2-2 with Germantown Academy on Sept.14.
“We’re getting better,” said EA midfielder and Bucknell University commit Maddie Rehak. “We’re encouraging each other, always talking to each other.”
With 10 seconds left on the clock, EA’s sophomore Sophia Acosta scored on a penalty corner ending the game (Sept. 14) in a 2-2 tie with Germantown Academy.
(Video by Patty Morgan – edited by Austin Ampeloquio for PSD)
Penn Charter dropped to 0-3 on the season.
“Energy wasn’t here today,” said Penn Charter head coach Maiyah Brown. “We could have played better. We need to learn to support each other.”
Rau scored 42 seconds into the action with teammates senior Gianna Pantaleo (Boston University commit) and freshman Macy Szukics assisting. Sophomore Sofia Acosta extended the score to 2-0 four minutes later.
“We were working hard, setting each other up with our passes,” said Rau.
Rehak went on a 2-0 sprint during the opening half and Pantaleo provided another assist. The Churchwomen held a 4-0 halftime surplus.
“I got a good ball from Macy and got in front of the defenders,” said Rehak. “Everyone was backing me up.”
Rau found the net again early in the second period. She then completed her hat trick with 10:10 to play in regulation and the Quakers used their second time out.
The remainder of the contest came and went with the final score of 6-0.
“We’re so excited,” said Rau. “This game showed how much fun we can have pushing and moving forward.”
Goalkeeper Zora Johnson paced Penn Charter’s defense.
(Episcopal Academy vs. Penn Charter photos by Alexandra Conroy Episcopal Academy).
EA vs. PC - Photos by Alexandra Conroy
“She had a good game on defense,” said Brown. “You have to give credit to the other team.”
"You just keep going out there,” said Johnson.
Inter Ac League action resumes for EA tomorrow. The Churchwomen travel to take on Academy of Notre Dame at 3:30 p.m.
“I’m excited to see what happens,” said Rehak.
Seeking their first victory of the year, the Quakers host Baldwin School Tuesday, October 2, at 4:00 p.m.