After starting the season with five losses in its first eight games, Holy Child appeared to be an unlikely candidate for the ISL A finals Wednesday afternoon at Episcopal. However, the Tigers proved that the most important part of the season is the second half, which culminated with a 14-11 victory over Episcopal to win the league championship. The Tigers had seven different players contribute offensively and outscored the Maroon 8-5 in the second half.
"I felt like they were playing at 60 percent in the first half, and they needed to be at 110," Holy Child third-year coach Sarah Aschenback said. "Once they picked it up, they were fine."
Holy Child seemed to move the ball at will in the second half as MJ Coyle led the charge. Although the junior midfielder didn't score during the game, Coyle assisted on five goals, which mirrored the style of play she has led the team with all season.
"MJ is a team leader," Aschenback said. "She did a great job on and off the field with really setting up her teammates. Sometimes I have to tell her to take it more on her own."
Coyle spread the ball to various teammates, but fellow juniors Izzy Nagel and Caroline Guidera were the biggest benefactors. Guidera and Nagel combined for eight of Holy Child's 14 goals on the afternoon.
"When we played against Episcopal during the season, it was an unfortunate loss," Guidera said referring to a 10-9 defeat on April 4. "This game we knew we had to win. [MJ] and I decided we were going to be a tag team. She did the passing and I did the scoring."
With Carolyn Hodgson leading the way on defense and Shannon Quinn and Sarah Tareen splitting time in goal, the Tigers were able to keep the Maroon from finding any offensive flow for the majority of the second half. Episcopal did get a few shots past Quinn late, but Holy Child's offense would always respond with a goal of their own.
"We've all been working for this forever," Quinn said. "We've all wanted it from day one."
And if one was going to make a prediction for the 2010 season, Holy Child would have to be a favorite to repeat. The Tigers only graduate three seniors and have 14 varsity players returning. Holy Child benefited from a season in the ISL A after playing in the AA last year.
"Last year was a fairly young team," Coyle said. "We've really grown up this year and it shows. We got moved down and I think it was for the better. This year we got lots of practice so I think we can compete at the next level."
Others are a bit more confident about Holy Child's chances.
"We're going to win next year again," Nagel said.
"People need to take Holy Child seriously," Guidera added. "Holy Child sports don't get the credit they deserve."
