Archbishop Wood High School clinched its first-ever PIAA Class 2A girls’ soccer title on March 15, 2024, defeating Burrell in a thrilling overtime match with a score of 2-1. The decisive moment came six minutes into the extra period when senior Kylie Wiest scored the match-winner, capping off a season of hard work and determination for the Vikings.
Wiest’s goal was a culmination of her aggressive play throughout the match, where she had previously struggled to find the net against Burrell’s organized defense. As the overtime approached, she realized the significance of her next opportunity. “I knew it was overtime so whatever chance I had, I had to finish it,” Wiest stated. “I just knew it could have been my last shot. I had to make it count.”
The match, held at Northeastern High School, began with both teams feeling the pressure. Archbishop Wood, the Philadelphia Catholic League champions, faced off against the WPIAL runner-up Burrell, whose strong defensive line proved challenging. At halftime, the Vikings had recorded only a few attempts, including a free kick from Paige Eckert that sailed high. Fortunately for Wood, junior goalkeeper Cat Gabel made crucial saves, preventing Burrell from taking the lead.
Woods’ head coach, Maria Kosmin, acknowledged the team’s initial struggle. “We talked about how we had to get back to our game, get back to being on the ball,” she remarked. “They were frustrated, but once they calmed down, we knew we weren’t going to get tons of opportunities, but the one opportunity we got, we finished.”
As the second half unfolded, the Vikings began to find their rhythm. The team improved their ball movement and increased their attacking momentum. The defensive unit, particularly Macie Kennedy, played a key role in stifling Burrell’s top scorer Makiah Buchak. Kennedy’s strategy involved forcing Buchak to the outside, effectively neutralizing her offensive threats.
“We all work really well together and keep each other up when we’re down,” Kennedy stated, highlighting the team’s strong chemistry. This bond was pivotal in the tense match, as the players pushed through the pressure of the final.
With 15 minutes remaining in regulation, the Vikings broke the deadlock. After a build-up initiated by Brinley Miller and a well-placed cross from freshman Avery Miller, Eckert volleyed the ball into the net, giving Wood a 1-0 lead. “I saw her looking for me and saw the ball coming across,” Eckert recalled. “From there, it’s like an instinct to finish that ball.”
Burrell responded late in the game, scoring an equalizer through Parker Moore with just over three minutes to play, forcing the match into overtime. Despite the setback, the Vikings remained resolute.
Eckert described the atmosphere during the team huddle before overtime: “We were (angry) when we came off. We were like ‘there’s no way we’re letting this go, this is our game.’” Their determination bore fruit early in the extra period.
Wiest’s decisive goal was a moment of brilliance. Picking up the ball on the left side, she navigated through defenders before bending a shot around Burrell’s goalkeeper and into the bottom corner of the net. “I know our team is so good and our chemistry is so good, so this game just showed it,” she said.
The victory marked a historic moment for Archbishop Wood, who had previously reached the state finals in 2010 and 2012 but had fallen short. Coach Kosmin, in her second year with the team, expressed her pride. “We went into this knowing we’d been through too much… that losing wasn’t an option,” she said, emphasizing the legacy of the program that had been built before her tenure.
As the final whistle blew, the Vikings celebrated their hard-fought victory, a testament to their teamwork and resilience. With this win, Archbishop Wood not only claimed their first PIAA title but also solidified their place in the annals of high school sports history.
