In a back and forth match at Stony Brook University’s Indoor Sports Complex, the ESM Sharks clashed with the St. Anthony’s 2025 Friars team in the first week of the high school winter league.
The game commenced with a quick start as ESM’s Amanda Sweeney the future Cincinnati Bearcat put her team ahead with an early goal, demonstrating ESM’s aggressive approach. Julia May O’Connor, the Syracuse commit, played a pivotal role on defense for the Friars but also got a chance to play on the offensive side of the field where she managed to find the back of the net.
St. Anthonys’ offense was also bolstered by players like Katherine Rathjen the Fairfield commit, while Jess Black, the Army bound goalie for St. Anthony’s, showed why she’s a top talent at her position with several critical saves, keeping the game within reach.
The first half was marked by a tight defense from both teams, with ESM maintaining a slim lead thanks in large part due to the play in goal by senior Ashley Langdon the Johns Hopkins commit. The game’s dynamic nature was highlighted by the constant shifts in momentum, as each team vied for control.
The second half saw a more intensified battle. ESM’s strategy to keep the game low-scoring was evident, and was proving to be successful. However, the St. Anthony’s offense, led by 2026 Madison Sussi’s 4 goals, and Devan Lang, the Princeton commit who was all over the field, kept finding ways to breach ESM’s defense.
St. Anthony’s demonstrated remarkable resilience, with Rathjen and Sussi scoring crucial goals to keep the team in contention. ESM’s Taylor Murtha and Amanda Sweeney, however, were not to be outdone, as they scored key goals to regain the lead for ESM.
As the game approached its climax, both teams were locked in a dead heat. The final minutes were a testament to the skill and tenacity of both teams, with goalies from both sides making vital saves to keep the score level. ESM went with the second half goalie switch, inserting Kat Dietz in the net. When the final buzzer sounded the game concluded in a 7-7 tie, a fitting end to a game that was evenly matched for the full 40 minutes.
Noteworthy for the Friars is that they were without some of their key players including Molly Hiney, Shannon Steck, and Emma Toner, as they look to have their full roster back in action in week 2 when they face Sayville at 11:30.For ESM they will go against Manhasset at 4:45.
