PHILADELPHIA--There was no way of knowing what was going to happen as defending PAISAA champion Springside Chestnut Hill Academy hosted Baldwin School in Inter Ac League girls’ soccer action Friday, September 28th. Baldwin entered in to this match with an undefeated record of 5-0-1 that included six shutouts, but Springside Chestnut Hill proved that its win for the state title last year was not a fluke and came away with a 2-0 victory.
SCHA improved its overall record to 4-1-1 on the season and 1-1-1 in the Inter-Ac League. In their league opener, The Blue Devils tied with Penn Charter and lost 2-1 against Germantown Academy.
“Girls know you can’t have many losses,” said Springside Chestnut Hill Academy head coach Maria Kosmin. “We got them when we could. We’ll take it.”
The score was retained at 0-0 for quite some time. It was not until late in the opening half that SCHA sophomore midfielder JoJo McShane registered a goal and gave her team what turned out to be a permanent lead. Eighth grader and midfielder Mary Tradeau accounted for the assist.
(photos by Dan McCarty for PSD)
“Once we got the goal, we got some momentum,” said McShane. “We can think forward. We can capitalize on our chances.”
Junior forward/midfielder Meghan McNesby found the net midway through the second period and that was the game.
“We came out strong,” said McShane. “Everyone did their job. We had a lot of opportunities.”
Sophomore goalkeeper Rani Bleznak paced Baldwin’s defense. This marked her first full game in front of the net.
“I came out wanting to find myself,” Bleznak said. “I felt pretty confident. We have a strong team.”
Hard work and consistency on defense did it for SCHA with sophomore goalkeeper Julie Wilbekaitis leading the way.
Wilbekaitis, who usually splits playing time with senior goalie Sena Houessou-Adin, played the entire game. Houessou-Adin is currently out due to concussion protocol following the Sept. 21 game against Germantown Academy.
SCHA vs. Baldwin School (video- Dan McCarty)
“She came up huge,” said Kosmin. “She knows she has to step up and take control back there.”
Inter Ac League action continues this afternoon, with Baldwin playing away at Penn Charter at 4:00.
Springside Chestnut Hill Academy will face visiting defending Inter-Ac Champions Episcopal Academy also at 4 p.m.