Never have Episcopal Academy’s grounds shaken as much as when scores of Agnes Irwin students stormed Episcopal Academy’s fields as the Owls claimed victory over the Churchwomen in the ninth annual AIS/EA Day on Friday, November 8, clinching the banner in a hard-fought afternoon of sports competitions.
The Owls took two of the four competitions, winning six of seven tennis matches and 3-1 in soccer. They held off the Churchwomen in field hockey, after tying 1-1 near the end of regulation play and keeping EA scoreless during a 10-minute overtime.
While EA won cross country, AIS won three singles matches in straight sets, two doubles matches in straight sets and one doubles match in a super tiebreaker (13-11). Winning in tennis were senior Ryshena Providence (6-4, 6-1), junior Camille Smukler (6-4, 6-2), freshman Catie Burkhart (6-4, 6-2) as well as the teams of senior Caroline Greco and junior Emma Hill (7-6(8), 6-1), sophomore Chase Robinson and junior Dorrie Greenfield (6-1, 6-1) and juniors Kate Wahl and Emma Collier (7-6(5), 2-6, 7-7(13-11).
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In the soccer game, both AIS and EA went scoreless during the first half, but EA earned a goal from close range early in the second half. But sophomore Kristin Burnetta equalized the score five minutes later with an outstanding finish from sophomore Hannah Keating's pass. Sophomore Emily Fryer put the Owls in front from close range off a corner kick, and Burnetta secured the win by finishing off another pass from Keating with three minutes to go. Senior goalkeeper Autum Wedderburn made some outstanding saves to ensure the win.
Neither the Owls nor the Churchwomen put points on the board in the first half of the field hockey game, but AIS faced a 1-0 deficit shortly after the start of the second half. The Owls tied the game on a goal by freshman Julianna Tornetta with 1:45 minutes to play in regulation. After a 10-minute overtime with no score, the referees declared the game a tie.
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Since 2005, Agnes Irwin School and Episcopal have taken turns hosting this daylong event, which recognizes the importance of girls’ athletics and provides a showcase for their respective schools and sports programs. The schools compete in the Inter-Ac League's fall sports, cross-country, tennis, field hockey and soccer.
“Once again, the support and enthusiasm of the AIS community was tremendous,” said Sheila Pauley, Director of Athletics at Agnes Irwin. “The students and families took full advantage of the opportunity to show their school spirit for our teams, and their positive encouragement helped our teams give their best effort.”
In accordance with tradition, the winner of the day's competitions keeps the AIS/EA banner for the year.
