Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 4/13/23 – From Staff Report
Penn Charter senior goalie Kayla Joyce believes her Quakers are just beginning to realize their potential.
Especially after defeating nationally-ranked Georgetown Visitation (D.C.), 12-11, today on Grace Walter’s goal in double overtime.
“This win for us is huge considering the losses we’ve faced against really good teams,” said Joyce, whose team is 4-5 and has lost to a number of national powers. “Coming out with the win today reminded us that as long as we believe in ourselves and each other, and put the work in, we can be as good as we want to be.
“We pretty much have a brand new team this year, and believing in each other and the team as a whole, in my opinion, is one of the most important parts of the game.”
Penn Charter did lose a lot of keys starters from the PA Independent Schools champion squad of 2022. The schedule this year has been brutal, but today the Quakers went out to a 9-3 lead and won enough draws – including eight overall by Gracie Shoup – in overtime. Meanwhile, Joyce had 9 saves to keep the Tigers (7-4) off the board.
“Gracie Shoup had incredible draw controls and the offense definitely delivered,” Joyce said. “My defense was communicating everything, which is essential, especially when playing in a zone, and their forced turnovers kept up the momentum of the game.”
Aditi Foster led Penn Charter with four goals, three assists, four groundballs and three draw controls, Bea Buckley had three goals, an assist, two groundballs and a caused turnover, and Alex Glomb added a goal, seven groundballs, four draws and a caused turnover. Walter added three assists and a groundball while Shoup also had a goal, two assists and three groundballs.
“We need to keep working hard at practice and continue to trust our coaches,” Joyce said. “Our coaches provide us with everything we need to compete with the quality teams in the Inter-Ac.
“All we have to do is listen and deliver. We work a lot on positivity and mindset which is crucial to the game, and as long as we give 100% each and every day, we can be unstoppable.”
Penn Charter 12, Georgetown Visitation (D.C.) 11, 2OT
Penn Charter
Harbor Campbell 1G 1GB
Julianne Toomey 1CT 1DC
Aditi Foster 4G 3A 4GB 3DC
Nora Maione 1A 1CT
Bea Buckley 3G 1A 2GB 1CT
Grace Walter 1G 3A 1GB (game winner)
Alex Glomb 1G 7GB 1CT 4DC
Gracie Shoup 1G 2A 3GB 8DC
Bella Toomey 1GB
Ava Diaz 1G
Kayla Joyce 9 saves 2GB
