Agnes Irwin ousts Notre Dame, eyes Episcopal Academy

The third time was the charm for Agnes Irwin Wednesday.

For a third straight season, the Owls took on Notre Dame in the semifinals of the Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association field hockey tournament. For the first time, the Owls emerged victorious.

Julianna Tornetta tied the game with 11 minutes, 39 seconds to play, then won it off an assist from Jax van der Veen in a 4-3 Owls triumph.

“She’s such a reliable player and she came through in the clutch with those two big goals,” Agnes Irwin coach Alison Brant said of Tornetta.

Sydney Wolfington and Elizabeth Dallara also scored for No. 3 seed Agnes Irwin, while Dallara added an assist. Rosie Kalis made 10 saves in net, aided by four defensive saves in a stellar performance by senior co-captain Morgan Smith.

Quinn Maguire scored twice for Notre Dame, staking the No. 2 Irish to a 3-1 lead early in the second half. Sara Jane Quigley had opened the scoring, while Sarah Boles set up Maguire’s second tally.

Agnes Irwin advances to its first PAISAA final, where it meets top-seeded Episcopal Academy, a 6-3 winner over Germantown Academy in the other semi Wednesday.

Margaux Paolino and Corinne Zanolli each scored twice, and Maddie Rehak added a goal and an assist. Jenna Lotsis rounded out the scoring, while Bridget Boyle and Caroline Kelly stopped two shots apiece for EA.

The teams will convene in Saturday’s final at 11 a.m. at the Hill School.