Top-seeded Gwynedd Mercy Academy advances past Bishop Shanahan in District 1-2A quarterfinals
LOWER GWYNEDD >> Gwynedd Mercy Academy took the next step in defending its District 1-2A title Thursday afternoon. The top-seeded Monarchs scored three second-half goals and controlled possession for most of the game in a 3-0 quarterfinal win over No. 8 Bishop Shanahan at Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School.
The win sends GMA to the district semifinals against No. 4 West Chester East Tuesday and clinches a state playoff berth.
“We’re so excited,” GMA senior Sydney Mandato said. “Coming off our season last year, we’re just happy to be following in those steps and making the most out of this season. I know us seniors this year, we love our team. All of us are really bonded. We’re just so happy to be here together.”
GMA and Shanahan were stuck in a scoreless tie at halftime. The Monarchs earned five penalty corners, put six shots on goal and hit a post in the second quarter, but couldn’t find the back of the cage.
“Every time we met together we were making that point,” Mandato said. “We just came together and we knew that we needed to score. It was a little bit frustrating in the moment, but once we got the momentum off our first goal it was better and we were able to score the next two.”
Just 126 seconds after halftime, Rory Saxon put Gwynedd Mercy ahead. Her initial shot was saved, but the ball stayed under the goalkeeper’s pads. Saxon grabbed the rebound and put it away for a 1-0 Monarchs lead.
“She was on the ground so I hit it up,” Saxon said. “In practice we’re always working on rebounds”
Less than six minutes later, Audrey Beck doubled the Monarchs advantage. On a penalty corner, Catherine Fitzgerald inserted to Mandato, who sent the ball to Caroline Fitzgerald. She completed the impressive passing display by finding Beck in front of the cage, where she had space and made it 2-0.
“I was fine with how we played against them,” Bishop Shanahn coach Jeff Riccardo, who didn’t agree with the penalty corner call, said. “I don’t think we made it easy for them. That’s what you’re supposed to do. If you’re coming in as an underdog, you don’t make it easy for the other team and that’s what we did and they just happened to score a couple goals.”
The two-goal advantage stood until the final 10 seconds of the fourth quarter, when Emma Kerr scored to extend the lead to 3-0.
The Eagles spent most of the game on their own side of the field, but the defense and goalie Mia DiGenova held GMA to just three goals. DiGenova stopped 13 shots.
Shanahan will head to the playback bracket, where it needs two wins to claim District 1’s fifth and final spot in the state tournament.
“This is all gravy to us,” Riccardo said. “Coming into this season, I took over this program, they won two games last year or something like that. We’re at nine wins right now – good season. We’re 9-8-2. We’re going to finish above .500 or at .500. If we win, get in double digits, great season. The girls played their butts off and they always do. You give me effort and I’m OK with it.”
Gwynedd Mercy Academy 3, Bishop Shanahan 0
Bishop Shanahan 0 0 0 0 – 0
Gwynedd Mercy Academy 0 0 2 1 – 3
Goals: GMA: Rory Saxon, Audrey Beck, Emma Kerr.
Assists: GMA: Caroline Fitzgerald.
Saves: BS: Mia DiGenova 13. GMA: Lilly Sweeney 1.
