By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 3/24/24
Avery Le admitted her Episcopal Academy girls’ lacrosse team has been shooting to reach the highest goal in sight.
Mission accomplished.
Le’s 12-meter rocket off a free position with 5.3 seconds to play gave host EA a thrilling 7-6 triumph this afternoon over McDonogh School (MD) at Cabrini University.
The win pushed the two-time defending Inter-Ac League champions and top-ranked team in the region by Phillylacrosse.com to 6-0. Moreover, it could vault EA to a level not seen in recent years for any Philly squad.
McDonogh (3-1), the perennial powerhouse from the mighty Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland and defending league champ, entered play at 3-0 and No. 1 in both the Inside Lacrosse Q-Collar Power Rankings and the USA Lacrosse Rankings. EA was No. 9 in the USA Lacrosse rankings and No. 10 in the IL/Q-Collar poll.
“I think it (the win) means a ton,” said Le, a 2025 Penn commit. “We’ve been constantly working to get to the top, not only for the rankings but for within our team. We had a goal of wanting to work towards and never settling (for less). This is a result of all our hard work.”
EA trailed, 6-5, late in the game and saw the Eagles gain two possessions off of turnovers, but its defense and a key save by Grace Holland (3 saves, playing in the second half) kept it to a 1-goal game. Then, with 2:34 to play, sophomore Sofia Gagliardi tied it. EA won the ensuing draw, but failed to get off a shot. Again, its defense responded and with 30 seconds left the hosts regained possession and rushed it downfield.
Le ended up with the ball with about 7 seconds left and drew a foul between the 8-meter and 12-meter lines. Knowing time was limited, she decided to fire one high to the right side. To her shock, it went in.
“It’s honestly kind of a blur,” she said. “I looked at the clock and saw there were about 7 seconds left. I didn’t have time for a scoring opportunity, but I saw space in the middle so I shot it. I didn’t see the goalie in position and I just shot it straight off the whistle and I caught her on the top right. Honestly, when it went in, I was in complete shock.”
EA had seven scorers for its seven goals – others to convert were Sydney Richter (2DC, 1GB, 1CTO), Maura Irish (2DC, 4CTO), Quinn Whitaker (1A, 2DC, 2GB), Lainey McMonagle, and Kate Dente (1GB).
“We prepared for this and we were really ready for this,” said Gagliardi (2GB, 1CTO). “It was awesome to do it. I could even feel the vibes before the game. I could feel this is our time to win it today.
“Coming in, we knew we had to want it more.”
EA coach Josie Tomaino also praised the team’s defense – led by Jenna Morley (2GB), Brynn Kehl (3GB, 1CTO), Caitlin McCarthy (3GB, 3CT, 1INT), Abby Schwartz (1GB, 1CT), and Caroline Johnston – which was especially stingy in the last 5 minutes when the final possessions were so precious.
“I couldn’t be more proud of our team’s resiliency and toughness today,” said Tomaino. “We faced a lot of challenges throughout the game and had to make multiple adjustments. It was a hard-fought game by both teams. Our team mentality and grit kept us in the game, even when we were down.”
Episcopal Academy 7, McDonogh (MD) 6
EA 2-1-1-3- 7
McDonogh 1-2-1-2- 6
EA
Jenna Morley 2GB
Lainey McGonagle 1G
Sydney Richter 1G 2DC 1GB 1CTO
Abby Schwartz 1GB 1CTO
Avery Le 1G 1DC (game winning goal)
Brynn Kehl 3GB 1CTO
Kate Dente 1G 1GB
Maura Irish 1G 2DC 4CTO
Quinn Whitaker 1G 1A 2DC 2GB
Caitlin McCarthy 3GB 3CTO 1INT
Sof Gagliardi 1G 2GB 1CTO (game tying goal)
Fallon Crowther 2 saves
Grace Holland 3 saves