The Lady Pats took home the plaque in the Philadelphia Catholic League Championship, defeating Cardinal O’Hara, 5-1.
The game was off to a slow start in the first quarter, and neither team could get anything going. Each team had opportunities here and there to capitalize on, but just couldn’t quite execute.
The second quarter was a completely different game, however. With only two minutes into the second quarter, freshman Morgan Wood knocked in a goal assisted by senior Laura Wineburg, which put the Lady Pats up 1-0. Soon after, Wood did it again, putting the Pats up 2-0. That goal was assisted by Wineburg as well.
Kate O’Neill’s goal added to that fire. With only four minutes left, O’Neill banged in a goal assisted by captain Samantha Hewitt.
Rolling into the third quarter, with the plaque in sight, Wood wasn’t quite done yet. With only 30 seconds into the third quarter, the freshman scored again to complete the hat trick. However, the Pats didn’t step off the gas, as Laura Wineburg scored on a beautiful pass from Claire Sexton to put the girls up 5-0. With seven minutes left in the third quarter, O’Hara tried to claw back with a goal, making the score 5-1.
It was back and forth during the fourth quarter. Carroll played good defense and didn’t let O’Hara climb their way back. When the clock hit zero, it was official. The Lady Pats were champions!
Morgan Wood expressed humbling words after the big win.
“I feel like everyone worked together as a team, and that is why we won,” Wood said.
Captain Sienna Golden added a few words as well.
“Being together before and after games — team bonding, especially towards the end of the season, led to our success,” Golden said.
Laura Wineburg had some uplifting words to say.
“The energy before the game got us going,” Wineburg said. “As soon as Morgan and I clicked on those two goals, I knew the game was ours.”