Potomac School senior Stephanie Croghan has finished enough chances this season generated by teammate Natalie Heintz it was only fair she eventually return the favor.
Having already scored twice during Monday afternoon’s non-league home game against Paul VI, Croghan dropped a perfect pass that Heintz rocketed into the net from about 20 yards out for the decisive goal in a 3-1 win.
It might have been the prettiest goal of the season for a team off to a 3-1 start despite having just one senior — Croghan — on the roster. The runner-up to National Cathedral in the Independent Schools League tournament last season, Potomac School is a good bet to make another deep postseason run. The win vs. Paul VI doesn’t count toward the ISL standings. But it was important anyway.
“Non-league games can have a little less intensity sometimes,” said Croghan, who has scored six goals this season, four off assists from Heintz. “But this one is special. We take a lot of pride in seeing how we match upagainst the big Catholic schools. That’s probably the best we’ve played all season.”
Croghan scored both goals in the first half. The second was a heads- up play as most players on the field stopped running after a Potomac School pass up the field appeared to be offsides. Not hearing a whistle, though, Croghan ran onto the ball and slipped it past the Paul VI keeper for a 2-0 advantage. Freshman goalie Churchill O’Donnell finished with five saves.
“That’s the great thing about this team. It’s young. But they are really talented, too,” Croghan said. “We have so much confidence in Churchill already because of how she’s played.”
Panthers vs. Panthers
» Paul VI is now 3-7-2. after the loss. The Panthers have tied conference rivals Holy Cross and Ireton and beaten Carroll and Seton.
» Potomac School players are wearing blue wristbands with the initials ‘VIP’ this season in honor of former teammate Vanessa Ilana Pean, who was killed in a car crash last Halloween.
» Senior midfielder Kelly Madigan tallied the only goal of the game for Paul VI with just 1 minute, 30 seconds left. She converted a free kick from the right side.
