Notre Dame Prep girls soccer had allowed just two goals in nine games entering Friday’s showdown at Mercy.
So when the No. 3 Magic finally broke through midway through the second half to tie the game, the No. 2 Blazers were in unfamiliar territory.
Not a problem.
Five minutes later, Notre Dame Prep responded when sophomore forward Maddie Hecklinger scored from 16 yards out. From there, goalie Lydia Itzoe saved a penalty kick and the defense fended off two corner kicks as the Blazers were able to hold on for a 2-1 win in Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland A Conference play.
Notre Dame Prep (8-1-1) improved to 3-1-1 in conference play, good for second place. Mercy (6-4, 2-3) lost its third straight conference game, all by one goal.
Blazers coach Cynthia Walsh was pleased with her group’s resilience in claiming the road win and three points in the standings.
“The biggest thing we’ve talked about the past couple weeks has been our mentality. Whether you’re up or down, it has to be continue to fight because you’re never out and you’re never too up,” she said. “I’m proud of these girls for digging deep and fighting through.”
Greyson Tischer gave the Blazers a 1-0 lead in the seventh minute, finding the right side from 10 yards off a corner kick that was punched out by Magic goalie Sarah Graham.
In most games this season — the Blazers have posted seven shutout wins and another 0-0 tie — the advantage would have stuck. And well into the second half, the defense stayed firm.
Then came Mackenzie Hobik’s chance at a free kick from 25-plus yards. The senior midfielder hit a clean strike that found the upper left corner, tying the game at 1 with 20:41 to play.
Unfazed, the visiting Blazers responded minutes later when Hecklinger took a pass ahead from Becca Blunt before sending a firm, low shot that found the left corner.
“It was a good moment for my team and a perfect team game to finish,” she said. “Adrenaline rush for sure. It was, ‘Wow’ — a big moment and my heart was beating really fast.”
The Magic’s pressure in a bid to equalize granted them a penalty kick when a Blazers defender was called for a hand ball in the area, but Itzoe handled Hobik’s kick this time.
Notre Dame Prep standout center back Hanna Phillips liked the team’s response to the challenge presented by Mercy.
“I think we worked great tonight. We’re a family and that’s what I love about this team,” she said. “We’re all really close and I think that’s ultimately why we’re able to get the good results we’ve been getting.”
Mercy coach Tom Durkin, who had seven freshmen and sophomores on the field for much of the game, didn’t feel the result reflected the effort from his team.
“Two days ago [in a 3-2 loss to St. Paul’s], I was frustrated because we didn’t play well and we lost a game we shouldn’t have lost,” he said. “Tonight, I’m not upset. It’s frustrating because you hate to lose, but the girls left everything on the field. I thought we were really good. We have three losses in the conference and they were all by one goal — that’s how tight this league and how good this league is.”
Both teams wrap up the regular season hosting conference games Tuesday afternoon. Mercy takes on Roland Park at 4:15 p.m., and Notre Dame Prep meets Archbishop Spalding at 5.
Goals: NDP — Tischer, Hecklinger; M — Hobik
Assists: NDP — Blunt
Saves: NDP Itzoe — 4; M — Graham 3
Half: NDP, 1-0
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