It was an EA repeat. The girls' soccer team won the Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association Championship game (4-3) after an overtime battle that went to penalty kicks on Wednesday, November 14.
Senior co-captain Maddie Loughead, with her right quad tightly wrapped, fired in the winning PK goal against The Baldwin School to win the game. Co-captain Olivia Dirks also scored during the shootout. Sophomore goalie Allie Bush stood strong in goal throughout the game. "Allie saved two PKs to set up Maddie Loughead to convert the final penalty for the win," explained Head Coach Andy Fraggos.
EA girls' soccer has lost in the PAISAA finals in two of the previous three seasons. "The Seniors that were involved in both of those losses didn't plan on feeling the pain of losing the final game again," shared Coach Fraggos. "We knew that it would take the entire team to have a strong performance to get the win, and we couldn't rely on a few players."
During regulation play, Olivia Dirks scored two goals with assists from fellow senior Anna Salvucci. Anna scored then scored the third goal off an assist from Olivia. "Junior Laila Payton had one of her most impressive performances of her three-year EA career," said Coach Fraggos. "Everyone had to play their part, and that's exactly what happened. The effort and focus from second defending players was the best it had been all season."
The girls' soccer team win came one day after the EA field hockey team won the coveted PAISAA Championship after overtime and a shootout against Germantown Academy.
