SPRINGFIELD -- With a trip to the PCL championship hanging in the balance, No. 2 seed Cardinal O’Hara and No. 3 seed Bonner-Prendergast met at Cardinal O’Hara High School to determine who would be one step closer to adding another trophy to their case. O’Hara sought a return to their championship winning ways of 2015 and 2016, while the reigning champs, Bonner-Prendie, simply wanted the opportunity to retain their title.
When these two teams met in the regular season, O’Hara narrowly beat Prendie 2-1. The Lions managed to snatch a victory from the Pandas once again on Friday afternoon by the same 2-1 score, only this time around the two teams would require nearly an entire third half to determine a winner.
“It was really good on both sides, Prendie played a heck of a game. They’re a really hard competitor and it’s a great rivalry in the Delaware county,” said Cardinal O’Hara head coach Carlie Spaeder.
“I think that the O’Hara girls really showed heart and played as a team and that’s all I ask of them all year, just to give one hundred and ten percent and when they do, they come out and win big games.”
Cardinal O'Hara vs. Bonner-Prendergast PCL FIeld Hockey Semifinal (Photos- James Williamson for PSD).
This was a match-up where the mistakes made the difference as the referees completely dictated the flow of the game.
“I felt as though the game was an OK called game,"said Bonner-Prendie head coach Joanne Dolan. "I do think at critical times there were key calls that were missed with feet and balls being lifted up into it. For a semifinal game I was a little bit surprised at the level of calls they were calling. I thought we earned more than we were given.”
The Pandas struck first, scoring with 20:59 remaining in the first half. After an O’Hara penalty, sophomore midfielder Reagan Dolan received a pass from the corner and fired to give her team the one goal lead.
About seven minutes later, sophomore forward McKenzie Raech would catch the defense sleeping after another call from the referee to even things up at a goal apiece.
The next goal wouldn’t come for another 50 minutes, but it wasn’t for a lack of effort from the referees. In the first overtime period, eight corners were called in the final ten minutes with Prendie receiving three straight corners between 2:05 and 1:01.
2018 Semifinal Field Hockey Game Highlights (Video-James WIlliamson- edited by Austin Ampeloquio).
“The corners were tough, especially in overtime. I was really nervous. I try to not get nervous, but they did play a huge factor,” said Spaeder. “There was a lot of opportunities on both sides, it really could’ve been anyone’s game. We got lucky this time, they played with their heart and fate fell on their side.”
But with 4:26 remaining in the second overtime period, O’Hara junior forward Katie Shallow called the game.
“It’s kind of a blur from the 50 and on,” said Shallow. “I’m pretty sure it was Sara Grassi, she brought it up the field and passed it to me. I pulled right and I just fired because I knew we had it from the beginning and I knew I had to just end it. To be honest, I didn’t think it was going in, but when I heard it hit the back of the goal it was really exciting.”
The O’Hara team immediately stormed the field and piled on Shallow in celebration. The Lady Lions are going back to the PCL championship.
Cardinal O'Hara' s Katie Shallow talks about her game winning goal (video-James Williamson).
“It does feel good to go back,” said Spaeder.
“I’m really good friends with former head coach, Marie Murphy, who brought them to the last PCL, so I’m really excited and hope this team and I can make her proud of the legacy she built, and coach Nicole Nelson.”
Despite the difficult loss, among the Panda’s sideline was an aura of optimism. Dolan stood proud of her girls and the season they had.
“We are a young team with a lot of varsity experience. They’re a pretty easy bunch to motivate because they are true competitive athletes. We work really hard in the offseason and in the preseason to become strong field hockey players. They are just amazing strong athletes. I’m proud of them.”
O’Hara can celebrate for now, but they know what’s ahead. When asked about preparations for the PCL championship, Spaeder kept her lips sealed.
“That’s a secret.”
Meanwhile, Katie Shallow was confident her team has what it takes to bring home the plaque.
“I know we have it in us and if we believe, we’ll achieve.”
The Lions will face the Patriots of Archbishop Carroll for the Championship Title this Thursday at the Conshohocken Proving Grounds. Game time is 7 p.m.