By Harry Chaykun
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 5/3/22
Alexa Capozzoli had a pair of learning moments during Episcopal Academy’s Inter-Ac League game at Penn Charter Tuesday afternoon.
During the first half, she attempted to score a goal, but Quakers goalie Kayla Joyce turned her bid away.
“She read my stick all the way,” Capozzolli said.
During the second half, as Penn Charter cut into EA’s 8-1 halftime lead, Capozzolli found herself on the sideline for several minutes, watching and worrying.
“I wanted to get back out there,” she said.
She returned to action in time to find the ball in her possession with 15 seconds to play and the score tied. Her shot found the back of the cage, and by the time she realized she had to get back up the field for the draw, she was a little sore from all the hugs and slaps on the back she received from her teammates.
Her focus was fine as she caused a turnover seconds later, allowing Episcopal Academy (ranked No. 2 by Phillylacrosse.com) to claim a 12-11 decision over the Quakers (No. 3) while maintaining its hold on first place in the Inter-Ac.
Capozzoli scored two goals and chipped in with four assists in the first half as EA (7-1 Inter-Ac, 14-2 overall) built an 8-1 lead. Darcy Felter, Charlotte Hodgson and Maddie Shoup turned things around after the break for host Charter (6-3, 14-3), dominating draw controls to help the home team dominate possession for most of the final 25 minutes.
Hodgson scored twice and Bea Buckley chipped in with a goal and an assist as the Quakers outscored Episcopal, 5-1, in the first 10 minutes of the second half. After Grace McHugh scored on an 8-meter shot with 12:25 to play to give EA a 10-6 advantage, Charter got five goals in less than eight minutes, with Buckley setting up Gracie Shoup with 3:10 to play to give the hosts their first lead.
Two minutes later, Episcopal freshman Quinn Whitaker looked one way and shot another to create another tie.
“They had come back so strong in the second half,” Whitaker said. “I knew we needed a goal there. We ran our play, and I knew if we executed it we could get the job done.”
Episcopal Academy coach Josie Tomaino was delighted that her team responded after giving up its big lead.
“We ran set plays,” she said. “Even if we didn’t execute them exactly the way we wanted, it was great to get those goals when we did.”
Capozzoli (two goals, four assists, two draw controls) talked about what she and her teammates had to do to turn back Penn Charter’s momentum.
“We had to make cuts and take the drives when we had them,” she said. “We knew how their goalie liked to play shots, so I tried to go from low to high and I was able to beat her.”
Capozzoli was one of four EA players with two goals. Whitaker, who chipped in with a pair of assists, Bella Piselli (four draw controls) and McHugh were the others. Alexis Ventresa contributed one goal and two assists.
Piselli’s pass to Capozzoli resulted in the crease roll which concluded with the deciding goal.
“Bella stayed composed and got her job done,” Tomaino said.
EA is the only team in the league with one loss. Agnes Irwin, at 5-2, is the only team with two defeats.
Hodgson (six draw controls) scored three goals and Felter (five draw controls) and Buckley both had two goals and two assists for Penn Charter.
“I have to be proud of the way they came back in the second half,” Penn Charter coach Colleen Kelly said of her players. “We just had a little miscommunication on their winning goal.
“We know we have to keep going with all the league games we have left. We want to keep getting better.”
Episcopal Academy 8 4 – 12
Penn Charter 1 10 – 11
Penn Charter
Darcy Felter 2G 3A 5DC 1CT
Bea Buckley 2G 2A 2GB
Nora Maione 1GB 1CT
Grace Walter 1A
Alex Glomb 2G
Charlotte Hodgson 3G 1A 5DC
Gracie Shoup 1G 1A 1GB 3CT
Maddie Shoup 1G 1A 2GB 3DC 2CT
Kayla Joyce 5 saves
EA
Abby Schwartz 1gb
Alexa Capozzoli 2g 5a 2dc 2gb * game winner
Alexis Ventresca 1g 2a
Bella Piselli 2g 4dc 4gb 1cto
Franny Gallagher 1gb 1cto
Grace McHugh 2g 1gb 1cto
Kendal Elison 1gb
Lainey McGonagle 1g 1cto
Maura Irish 1g 1dc
Quinn Whitaker 2g 1a 2gb * tied game 11-11
Sydney Richter 1g 4dc 3gb
Grace Holland 6 saves 1gb 1cto
