By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 4/24/14
Hannah Keating had four goals and Bridget Chakey added three goals and two assists as host Agnes Irwin earned a key 13-11 Inter-Ac League victory over Episcopal Academy today.
But this was a game that featured many contributions beyond the Owls’ top scorers as Agnes Irwin (12-1) forged a tie atop the Inter-Ac League with EA (ranked No. 2 by Phillylacrosse.com) at 5-1.
For several weeks Agnes Irwin (ranked No. 11) has been playing without two of its standout sophomores, Laura Pansini (Princeton commit, out for season with knee injury) and Kristin Burnetta (Harvard commit, out for season with ankle injury). But several more young players have made key contributions.
On Thursday freshman Lila Barker had two goals and one assist, and sophomore Katie White and freshmen Daniella Wright each had two goals. Freshman goalie Hailey Andress made nine saves and the defense of White, Sarah Platt, Morgan Pergolini, Emily Fryer, Elizabeth Spitz, Alicia O’Neil and Maria Pansini (eighth grader) drew much praise from coach Jen Duckenfield.
“Wee were just really prepared we were going to come out firing since we lost last time (17-8) to them.” said White. “We wanted to patch the D and be patient on the attack and we did awesome on the transition.
“It was a great team effort; all over the field we were talking and having fun and doing what we like to do. It’s really great to beat such a respected team. They’re really great and it’s great to know we can handle them.”
The game tied, 8-8, when White put Agnes Irwin ahead to stay with 14:18 to play. Keating made it 10-8 before Corinne Zanolli (two goals) drew nine-time defending Inter-Ac champion EA (10-2) within 10-9. But Chakey and Wright scored to make it 12-9 and later when EA pulled within 13-11 Andress made a key stop and the Owls were able to burn most of the rest of the clock.
“Coach said we had nothing to lose and this was where we should put it all out there,” said Barker. “We proved who we are today.
“I think it really showed how much we’ve improved in the past two years. We mean business. We’re a tough team and we’ve come together with a lot of chemistry on and off the field. We’re trusting each other with the ball and it shows how hard we’ve worked.”
Duckenfield noted that Agnes Irwin had not defeated EA since 2006.
“We’re missing two key starters,” said Duckenfield. “I think our underclassmen really stepped up today. To freshmen put a pair of goals in and I also thought our defense was solid. They were intense and set the tempo of this game and did a great job of keeping Episcopal out of the 8 meter.
“Episcopal plays hard. They are tough on groundballs; they go for every one. I love playing them. Today was just our day and we showed tremendous character.
Agnes Irwin 13, Episcopal Academy 11
Agnes Irwin 6-7-13
Episcopal Academy 6-5-11
AIS
Lila Barker 2g, 1a
Bridget Chakey 3g, 2a, 2gb
Emily Fryer 4gb, 3dc
Hannah Keating 4g, 4dc
Alicia O’Neil 1dc, 1ct
Maria Pansini 1dc, 1ct, 1 interception
Morgan Pergolini 1gb, 1ct
Sarah Platt 1dc, 1ct
Elizabeth Spitz 2dc
Kate White 2g, 1dc, 2ct
Daniella Wright 2g, 1gb
Hailey Andress 10 saves
Episcopal Academy
Emma Brumbaugh- 1dc 1gb 1ct 2g
Jane Crager- 3dc 4gb 1g
Lily Crager- 1g
Christie Palazzese- 2dc 2gb 2ct
Alexandra Silvera- 1a 1gb 1g
Julia Hondros- 2dc 1g
Colby Gallagher- 1dc 1g
Lexie Curry- 1dc 1gb 1ct
Hannah Harrity- 1gb 1ct
Taryn Gallagher- 4dc 2g
Corinne Zanolli- 2g
Sydney Gagnon- 5 saves
Game Highlights by David Cartularo
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