SPRINGFIELD, PA-- It was the scene of a heated rivalry as the Cardinal O’Hara Lions’ field hockey team hosted the Bonner & Prendergast Pandas on an unseasonably warm afternoon Wednesday, October 10th. Although Bonner & Prendie secured a 1-0 lead, the Lions roared back and edged the Pandas, 2-1, in this Philadelphia Catholic League (PCL) match.
It was a hard- fought match as both the Lions and the Pandas entered the the field with a 5-1 league record. Both squads losing to undefeated 6-0 Archbishop Carroll.
The field played to a back-and-forth canvas as skill sets from both teams kept the ball moving. O’Hara’s communication on defense kept everyone working together.
The Panda’s going undefeated last year, are no stranger to competition. Bonner-Prendergast is being led by sole senior forward and midfielder Katie Caruso.
Cardinal O'Hara vs. Bonner Prendergast (photos by Dan McCarty).
“We’re in a rebuilding year,” said Prendie head coach Joanne Dolan. “We’re getting there.”
Eight minutes in to the action, forward Hailey Horan registered Prendie’s goal with forward and midfielder Maeve Finnegan assisting.
“We have to get the ball down together,” said Horan. “It’s not just one of us. You have to pass. I just tipped it in.”
Still holding on to a 1-0 deficit, O’Hara used a time out with 11:20 to play in the opening half. It still took some time for the score to change but forward Katie Shallow found the net with 3:31 in the period and it was a 1-1 game.
“It tied up,” said Shallow. “We knew we were right there with them the whole entire time.”
“Prendie’s a great team,” said Spaeder. “Sometimes they have trouble coming from behind. They came back.”
Forward Sarah Grassi scored in the second half off of Shallow’s assist.
“When we got that second goal, we knew we had it,” said Shallow. “We had all our energy. We knew it was our game.”
Trying to regroup, Prendie took a time out with 3:04 in regulation but those last three minutes came and went to call it a day.
O’Hara’s defense was solid with goalkeeper Gianna Travia leading the way.
“She made great saves,” said Spaeder. “They challenge each other in practice.”
Notable wins this season:
On September 21, Archbishop Carroll defeated Cardinal O’Hara 1-0 in OT.
Notable games:
Archbishop Wood (6-0) will host a makeup game against Cardinal O’ Hara (5-1) this afternoon.
Archbishop Carroll (7-0) will play Archbishop Wood this Wednesday at Wood.
Cardinal O'Hara's Katie Shallow talks about what her team can work to improve upon going into the playoffs. (video- Dan McCarty).
MBAP vs. O'Hara Highlights
Wood vs. Ryan - Photos by Sal Tommassello
Wood vs. Ryan
This Field hockey season in truly one for the books. Toping the leader board are Archbishop Carroll, Archbishop Wood, Cardinal O’Hara and last year’s defending PCL Champions Bonner-Prendergast (5-2).
Archbishop Carroll and Archbishop Wood are both undefeated in PCL play. Both teams possess an intensive offense as well as a defensive back with intense ball handling capability. Wednesday’s game will definitely be one of physicality and well worth an audience.
The intensity will be there with both teams vying for that top PCL spot.
“Wood is a great team! I tell the girls before every game to just go out there, play their game and always give 110%,” said Archbishop Carroll head coach Christina Elisio.
Archbishop Wood head coach Jennifer Konow shared the same sentiments.
“Carroll is a good team that has been playing some great hockey. As a coach, I always prepare for the game in front of me and try not to look ahead,” said Konow.
Archbishop Wood's senior goalie Kayley Hence discusses what has attributed to her teams success:
“Facing Carroll especially since we are both undefeated will be a challenge, it won’t be easy, but I think with our motivation and desire to win every game will persevere in to the game,” said Wood senior goalie Kayley Hence.
Carroll’s will to win has definitely come from a motivating factor. Making it to the championship final once again.
Going against a top competitor requires mental as well as physical skill.
“Obviously, Carroll is a great team and an even greater foe, so I can’t go into the game as anything other than mentally strong. It’ll be different from other games since it’ll be a battle against two schools who both deserve the victory. However, I am not discouraged by their reputation because any team can win on any given day or on any given game. The score starts at 0-0 for a reason,” said Wood senior forward Hayley Nguyen.
“Facing Carroll especially since we are both undefeated will be a challenge, it won’t be easy, but I think with our motivation and desire to win every game will persevere in to the game,” said Wood senior goalie Kayley Hence.
Carroll’s will to win has definitely come from a motivating factor. Making it to the championship final once again.
“We (the coaches) couldn’t be more excited and jazzed up for the girls to get to experience another year of playoffs and hopefully making it to the final game in a couple of weeks. The hard work these girls have put in over the past two months has shown,” said Elisio.
Carroll’s senior forward and Rider University commit Maeve Riehman is confident in her team’s skill set.
“I am so proud of the constant team spirit and the progress we have made thus far. Only time will tell, but my teammates and I are far from this seasons peak and are ready to take on playoffs,” said Riehman.
MBAP vs. Carroll
Carroll senior forward Maeve Riehman
Current Standings (10/16)
Archbishop Carroll 7-0
Archbishop Wood 6-0
Cardinal O’Hara 5-1
Bonner-Prendie 5-2
Lansdale Catholic 3-3
Archbishop Ryan 3-4
Little Flower 2-4
Bishop McDevitt 1-6
Conwell-Egan 0-6
St. Hubert 0-6
2018 PCL Field Hockey Playoff Schedule (Weather Permitting)
Oct. 24 - Quarterfinals
No. 6 at No. 3; No. 5 at No. 4
Oct. 26 - Semifinals
at Nos. 1 & 2 seeds
Nov. 1 - Finals
Conshohocken Proving Grounds, Field #9 - 7:00 p.m.