Dynasties are built on consistency, chemistry, and conviction — and Archbishop Carroll’s field hockey program once again showed all three.
The Patriots captured their fifth straight Philadelphia Catholic League field hockey championship by overwhelming rival Cardinal O’Hara, 6-0, Oct. 25 at Neumann University, and further cemented their reign.
For second-team All-Catholic senior Maggie O’Neill, the title carried special meaning — both as a championship and as a continuation of something greater.
“It was really important to us because it was a PCL championship and we wanted to continue the legacy,” said O’Neill. “It was amazing walking off the field knowing we kept it going all four years and played not just for each other, but for our school.”
Carroll’s dominance was reflected even before the title game. Of the 11 first-team All-Catholic selections this season, four came from Carroll and two from O’Hara. That balance of talent set the stage for another intense meeting between two programs that have continually defined excellence in Catholic League field hockey.
The early moments were tense and defensive. Carroll finally broke through in the second quarter when first-team All-Catholic senior Astrid Davis converted a penalty stroke to make it 1-0.
What followed was a showcase of precision and teamwork.
The Patriots erupted for three third-quarter goals — from senior first-teamer Lucy Sedgwick, freshman third-teamer Scarlett Golden, and sophomore Mia Schultz.
The fourth stanza proved similar, with Golden and first-team junior Morgan Wood adding one goal apiece. Junior goalie Fiona Conboy sealed the shutout with poise in the cage.
Coach Deanna Golden, who has now coached two daughters — 2024 Carroll alum Sienna, now playing at Ohio State University, and Scarlett — to PCL crowns, said the turning point came in that explosive third quarter.
“It was incredibly satisfying,” said Golden. “We had a bit of a slow start in the first half – not with momentum, but with finishing. The opportunities were there, but we needed to be more efficient and intentional. Once we broke the ice, I knew we would break free. This group doesn’t play to the scoreboard. They stay calm and believe in their capabilities.”
With the tension gone, Carroll found its rhythm.
“Everything just clicked — our passes were sharper, communication was strong, and the momentum totally shifted in our favor,” said Golden. “As a coach, there’s nothing better than seeing all of the pieces come together. Our transition game was excellent, our defense was rock solid, and our attack was scoring.”
Golden’s insight carries the weight of both experience and legacy. A 1996 Carroll graduate and three-time PCL champion herself (then known as Deanna Menichini), she stepped into the head coaching role in 2023 after several years on staff.
“Every championship team has a different personality,” she said. “Each group brings its own energy, chemistry, and way of responding to challenges. Teaching the game is the fun part; learning what makes each athlete tick and uniting them under one vision is the real challenge.”
Citing her mother Kathy Menichini, who died in December 2021, Golden’s connection to the program is deeply personal and generational.
“My mom did such a good job keeping track of everything and making scrapbooks for me when the world had nothing but newspapers,” she said. “My girls used to love to look through them and aspire to be good athletes. I gave them the freedom to choose their own paths, but they still chose Carroll. Ohio State is in the blood, too. Sienna had the freedom to choose not only her school but also her sport (including lacrosse). Scarlett’s just getting started – her athleticism and size will make her dangerous in time.”
The players’ words echoed their coach’s values of belief, togetherness, and legacy.
“Our mindset stays the same throughout all of the games we play,” said Emma Grant, the league’s co-Most Valuable Player along with O’Hara senior Maddie Fagioli. “We have one collective goal as a team, and we don’t let any team define that.”
Senior first-teamer Lucy Sedgwick reflected on how far the team had come since the start of the season.
“We had a ton of growth this year, both individually and as a team,” Sedgwick said. “After losing a lot of important seniors last season, many girls really stepped up and worked hard to get better. Everyone contributed in their own way, and we all built each other up on and off the field.”
Dynasties have a tendency to do that.
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Contact John Knebels at jknebels@gmail.com or on ‘X’ @johnknebels.
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