By: Joe Cicchino - Sports Information Assistant 

PHILADELPHIA -- Germantown Academy's field hockey team had trouble finding the back of the net in the early goings of its Sept. 21 match with Springside Chestnut Hill Academy. The Patriots had many chances to score, but only managed three goals. However, with a stifling defense that allowed no goals, that was more than enough to down the previously unbeaten Devils.

"I thought they did really well," Head Coach Jackie Connard '06 said. "We have a couple girls out with injuries and illness and they handled it well. We had a slow start for the first 15 minutes or so, but after that they picked it up."

Sammy Popper '19 broke open the scoring with 16:54 left to play in the first half. The Patriots had a run of play in which they earned three corners, but were denied by the SCH goalie on each attempt. At the intermission, Popper's goal was the difference.

The senior would again find the back of the net with 17:45 left in the second half. About seven minutes later, Grace Pacitti '20 tacked on one of her own. 

However, SCH was not going down without a fight. In the final seven minutes of play, the Devils registered six corners. Despite the effort, they were unable to get past Olivia McMichael '20 and the rest of the Patriot defense. 

The win for GA moves them to 2-1-1 on the year and 1-0-1 in the Inter-Ac. Even though they just handed a team its first loss, Connard is keeping things calm.

"It's great to get our second league game and to get a shut out," Connard said. "We try not to pay a lot of attention to records going in, we pay attention to how we match up with them and our gameplan."

GA will be back in action on Sept. 24 when they host Archbishop Wood at 3:45 on Oberkircher Field.

GA Stats

Sammy Popper - two goals

Grace Pacitti - one goal