Keating, Barker lead Agnes Irwin to title

The Agnes Irwin School lacrosse program completed a storybook season Thursday afternoon.

In the rubber match of an Inter-Ac League rivalry, Agnes Irwin defeated Episcopal Academy, 14-4, to capture its first Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association championship.

The outcome was never in doubt. The Owls led from the opening draw and held an 8-2 advantage at halftime. Leading the way was All-Delco Hannah Keating, who registered six goals and three assists. Lila Barker produced a season-high eight points (five goals, three assists) and Kristin Burnetta chipped in with four assists. Goalie Hailey Andress stopped 10 shots on the day and started in all of the Owls wins this season.

“It is always fun to play our rivals and we look forward to playing EA, congrats to them on a great season,’ Agnes Irwin coach Jenny Duckenfield said. “I am so proud of what our team has accomplished today and all season. We challenged them with an incredibly ambitious schedule and they absolutely battled through and rose to every occasion. I cannot say enough about our growth over the last three seasons.’

Agnes Irwin (23-1) finished the year with the most wins in school history and its first outright Inter-Ac League title since 1994. The Owls put a ribbon on a season that included victories over three defending state champions as well as Conestoga, which was the No. 1 seed in the District One tournament.