Chichester juniors Davis, Mojados spoil Interboro’s senior night
GLENOLDEN — Chichester juniors Ariana Davis and Rizza Mojados have held a grudge against Interboro all season long.
The Eagles had already wrapped up the Del Val League championship before Tuesday’s clash at South Avenue Athletic Complex. Ultimately, a loss on the Bucs’ senior night would not spoil what has been a winning season for the Eagles.
“We didn’t really need to win this, because they have three losses (in the Del Val) and we only have one, but we want to finish the season on a positive note,” Mojados said. “We wanted to play our best and come out with the win.”
Although the District 1 playoffs and its point system qualifier are out of reach, the Eagles have had a fun year and losing to Interboro would put a damper on their success. Davis, who transferred to Chi from Gloucester City High School in New Jersey, is getting her first taste of the Chi-Interboro rivalry.
“We just want to beat them every time. They are one of the top teams that we play,” she said. “They beat us the first time we played them. We were winning and they scored four goals against us in 15 minutes.”
Chi got its revenge on its senior night – a one-goal win – and clinched the three-match season series with a 2-0 victory Tuesday. Mojados scored both goals for the Eagles (9-4)
‘We beat them on our senior night, we just wanted to beat them on theirs, too,” said Davis, who ignited the Eagles’ attack with her solid defense and savvy stick-handling.
Blumenthal, the longtime head coach of the Eagles’ field hockey, girls basketball and softball programs, has been through countless close battles with Interboro. Back in the 1990s, Blumenthal played against Interboro and coach Dianne Faison, who has been at the helm of the Bucs for more 31 seasons.
‘When you’re coaching against somebody great like Coach Faison, as a coach myself it’s easy to get hyped up to come out and play them,” Blumenthal said.”It has always been a big rivalry in all the sports that I coach, you always want to come out and win. Coach Faison is such a legend and competing against her is always fun.”
The first meeting of the year was far more interesting than Tuesday’s affair. Interboro had trailed 3-1 in the match on Sept. 24, only to score three unanswered goals after intermission. Logan Stewart tallied the game-winner in overtime.
The third and final meeting was all about solid defensive play. The Bucs had scant opportunities to score the ball, while the Eagles dominated time of possession. Interboro goalie Gab McDonald (eight saves) was outstanding in the losing effort. McDonald, Haley Gonzalez and Marissa Mae were honored in a pre-game senior night ceremony.
Mojados broke the scoreless deadlock with 28 seconds left in the first half. She added her second tally two minutes into the second half. Sofia Amalfitano earned the shutout in goal for the Eagles.
The three games between the Eagles and Bucs were decided by a combined three goals.
“The games are always close because I think we have a lot of the same abilities and we’re a lot alike,” Mojados said. “They’re very talented … but I feel like when they go under pressure they get frustrated with each other and that’s when they start to break down. And we know that if things don’t go our way, we know how to keep calm and keep playing.”
When the Eagles are executing on the offensive end, it’s mainly because of the talents of Davis and Mojados.While Davis is a newcomer at Chi, she fit in right away and has been a positive impact on the program.
“The coaches just tell me to bring the ball up every time and I know Rizza is there for me,” Davis said. “We always tell each other before the game to stick to each other, stick to each other, no matter what.”
Mojados knows where to be when Davis is looking to make a pass.
“She always tells me to go and get into position and I’ll usually get there,” Mojados said. “I think all of my goals have been her assists.”
Blumenthal is looking forward to coaching Davis during the winter and spring. Davis is a forward/center in basketball and a third baseman in softball.
“It will be nice to have her around and playing all the sports that I coach,” Blumenthal said. “She’s a very good athlete and I’m looking forward to coaching her.”
In Central League action:
Garnet Valley 7, Penncrest 0 >> The Jaguars (17-0) made program history by winning the Central League title for the first time. Not since 1997 has GV won a conference title, when it was a member of the defunct Southern Chester County League.
Sophie Easter paced the offense with four goals. Mary Rose Berry and Alyssa Smith each chipped in with a goal and an assist. Tina Rawa had a goal and goalies Megan Finnegan and Maura Greek finished with two saves apiece.
Audrey Bassett registered 10 saves for the Lions.
Conestoga 2, Springfield 1 >> Carly Hynd scores with less than a minute to go in regulation and Chloe Ziegler recorded the winner in overtime for the Pioneers, who outshot the host Cougars (10-5-1), 14-2. Springfield goalie Emma Schnieder made 12 saves in defeat.
In the Inter-Ac League:
Episcopal Academy 5, Agnes Irwin 0 >> Kathleen Anderson powered the Churchwomen (12-1-1, 4-0-1) with two goals and one assist. Macy Szukics found the back of the net twice and Kelly Smith handed out three assists. Goalkeeper Gianna Cilluffo turned aside five shots to post the shutout.
Jordan Healy made 12 saves in goal for Agnes Irwin.
Notre Dame 4, Springside Chestnut Hill 0 >> Sophia Amos’ late goal in the first half snapped a scoreless deadlock and sparked the Irish attack. Vivi Trumpbour netted a pair of second-half tallies and Meghan Mitchell also scored for Notre Dame (11-3-1). Paige Kieft earned the shutout in the cage and Emily Gareff supplied two assists.
In the Bicentennial League:
Dock Mennonite 4, Delco Christian 0 >> Rachel Yeung made seven saves, but the Knights (4-11-3, 3-8-3) fell.
