RADNOR, PA- The Archbishop Carroll Patriots’ field hockey team has a chance to reclaim the Philadelphia Catholic League (PCL) trophy. A 4-0 shutout of the Archbishop Wood Vikings in the semifinals Friday, October 26, at Carroll has earned the Patriots their spot in the title match.
“Everyone on the field was working together as a team,” said Carleigh Connors who scored twice for the Patriots. “We started off slow. We just brought everything we had. This could have been our last game. Thankfully, it wasn’t.”
Carroll improved its record to 15-4 overall while remaining undefeated in the league at 10-0. The Patriots have a strong PCL playoff history, but this is their first opportunity to bring home the crown since 2014. They fell to Bonner & Prendergast in last year’s championship.
Archbishop Carroll vs. Archbishop Wood Semifinal Game Highlights
Connors registered her first goal ten minutes in to the action of this crucial game. Katie LaBella found the net later in the period for a 2-0 advantage at intermission and an increase in confidence.
“We had to start off strong,” said Connors. “A goal early in the first half got in to our minds to keep pushing forward.”
Carroll senior Alex Almonte talks about her team' PCL semifinal victory against Archbishop Wood (Video-Dan McCarty for PSD).
Carroll sophomore Carleigh Connors talks about her team's confidence going into the Championship game (Video- Dan McCarty for PSD).
Maeve Riehman scored early in the new half and Connors quickly followed with her second goal. Wood used a time out with 23:28 in regulation but it came and went, and Carroll moved on to the finals. LaBella and Keri Daly finished with one assist apiece on the afternoon.
“Teamwork played a big role,” said Archbishop Carroll head coach Christina Elisio. “The girls talked on the field.”
Leading the way for the Carroll defense were Emma Sutter, Carly Bateman and goalkeeper Mary Kate Kearney (two saves).
“Defense is strong in the back,” said Elisio. “They back each other up. They did a good job. They fill in for each other.”
Goalkeeper Kayley Hence prevailed for Wood on defense.
“They picked me up,” said Hence. “We wanted it. We played the best we could.”
The championship game is slated for Thursday, November 1 at the Proving Grounds in Conshohocken at 7:00 p.m.
The Patriots will face the Cardinal O’Hara Lions for the PCL Title.
“We’re super excited,” said Elisio. “We’re lucky to be given this opportunity again. We have to stick with it. We’re not done yet.”