skip navigation

GIRLS' SOCCER: Baldwin School Heading To PAISAA Championship After PK Victory Over Penn Charter

By Dan McCarty, 11/12/18, 5:15PM EST

Share

PHILADELPHIA--Regulation and two periods of overtime were not long enough to settle it when William Penn Charter hosted Baldwin in the semifinal round of the Pennsylvania Independent Scholastic Athletic Association (PAISAA) playoffs on Thursday, November 8, 2018. It took a shootout to determine which team would advance to the PAISAA title match and a goal by junior Alexandra Loomis that gave Baldwin a tight 4-3 victory to earn the Bears their place in that match.

“It really led our team to believe that we are still in it,” said Loomis. “We always fight our hardest and it gave us an extra push to keep fighting our hardest.”

With this outcome, Baldwin improved to 16-4-1 on the season. Penn Charter concluded its season with a final record of 16-2-1.

“It was an absolute battle,” said Penn Charter head coach Darci Borski. “It can go either way. It went their way today.”

“Both teams played well,” said Baldwin head coach Adrian Cox.

Sophomore Janae Stewart tallied the first goal of the day and Penn Charter secured a 1-0 surplus. Baldwin senior Relly Ladner tied it up and freshman Brianna Wright gave the Bears their first lead before Stewart scored again to tie it up at 2-2.

That scored remained as the final buzzer sounded in regulation play. It was now into overtime. Senior Gia Vicari quickly found the net for Baldwin but the Bears were not on top for very long. Junior Sara Shipon registered a goal for the Quakers less than a minute later to tie the score at 3-3. After a second overtime, the score remained the same.

Baldwin's Alexandra Loomis (#11) Scores Winning PK vs Penn Charter to Advance to PIASAA Finals (File photo-by Zamani Feelings for PSD)

Both Penn Charter and Baldwin Display Intensive Play in PAISAA Semifinal Game. (video-Dan McCarty)

With both teams exhausted and with equaled determination, the chance to play in the championship final had come down to penalty kicks.

For Loomis, it was a day she will never forget landing the goal that won it for her team.

“It was a big team collaborative effort,” said Loomis. “Penn Charter is such a great team with so many great players. Together, we overcame that.”

“Sometimes it is not your day,” said Penn Charter senior captain Emma Maley. “Sometimes it just does not fall the right way with everything going on.”

PC senior captain Emma Maley reflects about her team and their great season. (video- Dan McCarty)

Senior goalkeeper Simi Bleznak paced the Baldwin defense.

“We just knew that we really had to play together as a team and that if we did it for each other we would come out on top,” said Bleznak. “This has been a goal of ours for four years. We just really, really wanted it.”

Baldwin is ready to take on Episcopal Academy in the PAISAA championship game Wednesday, November 14, at Immaculata University.  Game time is 5:30 p.m.

         

Baldwin senior goalkeeper Simi Bleznak talks about her teams defense. (video- Dan McCarty)

“Baldwin is excited to play in the state championship,” said Cox. “We have unfinished business.”