GIRLS' SOCCER: Little Flower Continues to Impress as PCL Play is Nearing a Close, See What Teams Grace the Top Standings in This Week's Round-Up

Philadelphia Catholic League Girls' Soccer Review

PHILADELPHIA – Little Flower is making a “big” statement in Catholic League play by being the only team to boast a perfect 8-0 record.

“It’s just great,” said Little Flower junior, Brenna McCarry. “Last season we didn’t really show what we were capable of and then we came out this season and played our game and worked hard.”

Last year, the Sentinels finished PCL play with a 4-7 overall record, but again, that was last year.

So far, Little Flower has had notable wins over Cardinal O’Hara (1-0, OT goal scored by Allie Bofinger), Lansdale Catholic (2-0, both goals scored by McCarry) and Archbishop Carroll (2-0, goals by McCarry and Maeve McGowan). While the Sentinels are having little problems on offense, averaging 4.75 goals per game, sophomore goalie Taylor Iarosis says her team’s strength is their impressive defense.

“My defense is the best in the league,” said Iarosis. “They just have my back the whole time.”

In eight games, Little flower has only allowed one goal, in a 9-1 victory against Bishop McDevitt. During the Sentinels first six games, Iarosis and her staunch defense posted six consecutive shutouts.

With two weeks remaining until playoffs, the Sentinels will face two of its toughest opponents, Archbishop Ryan on Monday, Oct. 8 and Archbishop Wood on Thursday, Oct. 11. Iarosis said that her team is ready to compete and maintain their unblemished success.

Little Flower vs. Lansdale Catholic Highlights

LF junior Brenna McCarry talks about her two goals vs. LC and her team's success:

LF sophomore Taylor Iarosis talks about the Sentinel's defense:

“My team and I are excited, focused and determined to finish the season strong,” said Iarosis.

Lansdale Catholic and Archbishop Ryan are tied in second place, each with a 6-1 record. Last year these two squads met in the PCL final, with Ryan taking a 1-0 victory. However, in their initial meeting this season, the Crusaders defeated the defending PCL champions in a 2-1 victory on Sept. 20.

The Crusaders are being led this season by head coach Bree Benedict, who has brought a new sense of unity to the team.

“She has a ‘one family’ mentality, which is exactly how LC is as a school,” said Lansdale Catholic senior co-captain, Grace Cooney. “So to bring that to the soccer field and for us to know that we are a family and we are one, we win as one and we lose as one, it really takes us into another playing field.”

Another league standout is Archbishop Wood, who is averaging 5.9 goals per game. The 2016 PCL champs have only two losses this season to the Ragdolls and Crusaders.

Best Games to Hit This Week:

With three games left to play until playoffs, every game is meaningful, especially for on-the-bubble teams. Only the top 10 teams get to vie for a championship crown.

No. 7 John W. Hallahan will host No. 9 St. Hubert on Thursday, Oct. 4 in a game that could determine playoff certainty for Hallahan, as the Mickey Mouse will have to end their season with two difficult games against Wood and Lansdale Catholic.

The same scenario applies for No. 10 Bonner-Prendie who will host No. 11 Bishop McDevitt on Thursday. The Pandas have three winnable games left against the Lancers, O’Hara and Carroll. McDevitt has a slightly more difficult end, playing away at both Prendie and No. 5 Conwell-Egan and ending with a final home game against St. Hubert.