FLOURTOWN >> Villa Maria Academy clinched at least a share of the Athletic Association of Catholic Academies championship with a 4-1 win over Mount Saint Joseph Academy Thursday afternoon at Mount Saint Joseph Academy.
The Hurricanes can be outright champions with a win against Villa Joseph Marie, who they beat 15-1 earlier this season, on Saturday.
“We’ve been working so hard this season,” Villa Maria’s Caitlin Connell said, “from our defense to our forwards and Caitey (Connley) in goal. We’ve just been working really hard all together and it means a lot to us. Our coaches – they do so much for us. It’s a great win for us.”
The Hurricanes (11-3, 7-1 AACA) wasted no time jumping out to an early lead against the Mount (12-2, 6-2 AACA). They scored 87 seconds into the game and took a 2-0 lead in the first quarter.
Both early goals came on penalty corners with Mount Saint Joseph Academy short-handed because a flyer left the cage early. Colby Gannon scored the first one, assisted by Connell, and Erin Mitchell caged the second, assisted by Ella Cellini.
“Their flyer was super-fast,” Connell said. “When she went out, I was like, ‘OK we have to finish this. Just get a shot on goal.’ As soon as she went out, I was like, ‘Come on,guys. It’s 3-v-all of us. Just get it on goal, tippers be ready.'”
“Corner against is already a disadvantage,” MSJ coach Kyra Castano said. “Having only three people back there compared to what they have on the corner line is not ideal. We do practice those scenarios so that they’re ready, but they were able to execute against that mistake.”
The 2-0 lead held until the fourth quarter. Connell had a chance to make it a three-goal game with a penalty stroke, but her shot went over the cage. She made up for it halfway through the fourth when her goal essentially put the game out of reach with seven minutes left.
“I haven’t missed a stroke at all this season,” she said. “It really fueled me, like I have to get a goal. It fueled me to go out, be strong and get the ball in the net.”
Viola Diorio made it 4-0 later in the fourth before Caitlin Paul got the Magic on the board with a goal in the final minute.
The Villa Maria defense played strong all afternoon, allowing just four shots on goakeeper Caitey Connley and three penalty corners, all of which were unsuccessful.
“Our defense worked so hard today,” Connell said. “On outleting we just talked about keeping possession of the ball. Last time we played them we were really hitting it up the side a lot. Today we just kept possession and really transferring around the backfield, which is super-important against them with a really high press. Our backfield did amazing clearing the ball quick, sending it up the sideline and completing passes, which is something we’ve been working on in practice.”
These AACA rivals may see each other again this season. Villa is the No. 1 seed in the District 1-2A rankings and Mount Saint Joseph is the No. 2. Playoffs are still a few weeks away, set to begin on Oct. 24.
“I talked to them about what a W and an L is,” Castano said of her post-game message. “I think today, it was not a loss, it was a lesson, really, for them going into postseason. It’s something for them to take to heart and use it for the rest of the season, finish out the season and into the playoffs.”
Villa Maria Academy 4, Mount Saint Joseph Academy 1
Villa Maria Academy 2 0 0 2 – 4
Mount Saint Joseph Academhy 0 0 0 1 – 1
Goals: VMA: Colby Gannon, Erin Mitchell, Caitlin Connell, Viola Diorio. MSJ: Caitlin Paul.
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