CROSS RIVER, N.Y. - On Tuesday, May 12, the John Jay offense scored 13 goals and could certainly hang its hat on an impressive performance. But it was the defense that proved flawless from start to finish in a dominant 13-0 shutout of Briarcliff.
“Everyone has to work together in order to get it to the other side,” said eighth grader Sawyer Hall afterward.
The Wolves didn’t need long to take control. After Briarcliff won the opening draw, an overthrow in front gave John Jay possession. Finja Degl raced upfield to spark the attack, and after crisp ball movement around the circle, Erin Brennan found Amelia Inglis cutting in front for the game’s first goal at 10:20.
Briarcliff continued to battle in the draw circle, winning the next possession as well, but the Wolves’ swarming defense quickly shut down any momentum.
“We’re always looking out for each other,” Hall said.
That defensive effort soon translated into more offense. Coco Inglis fought through heavy pressure and finished with an overhead shot from the left side to make it 2-0.
At 5:18 of the opening quarter, Briarcliff earned a penalty shot with Riley McCaffrey in goal. Hall had complete confidence in her goalkeeper.
“She’s always got our backs,” she said.
McCaffrey came through with the save, deflecting the attempt to keep the shutout intact.
Moments later, Dillon Hall threaded a pass inside to Amelia Inglis, who converted on a penalty opportunity for a 3-0 lead with 3:49 remaining in the quarter.
The Wolves kept applying pressure defensively as well. Dillon Hall forced another turnover, and Degl sprinted the other way. Fouled on her way to goal, the junior converted the penalty shot to extend the lead to 4-0.
Late in the quarter, Briarcliff again earned a penalty opportunity, but McCaffrey came up big once more, snaring the shot with her catcher at the 1:05 mark.
John Jay immediately transitioned back onto offense before Briarcliff threatened one final time. Lily Rowe intercepted a pass and raced the length of the field, but as time expired, McCaffrey made another save at the buzzer.
The Wolves wasted no time adding to the lead in the second quarter. Kaitlyn Condon controlled the draw and connected with Degl.
“We have a great connection,” Condon said. “Finja just really gets me. I call out, she gets there and does her job.”
Degl pushed the ball ahead to Coco Inglis, who crossed in front of the cage, created space with a quick stick fake and scored.
Back in the circle, the chemistry between Condon and Degl continued to shine.
“It all just comes together in a perfect storm,” Condon said.
Just 24 seconds into the quarter, Degl found Maye Viders, who delivered a perfect pass in stride to Amelia Inglis for another goal and a 6-0 advantage.
“Maye can run up the field and is really good at seeing those cross-field passes,” Amelia Inglis said.
Condon and Degl weren’t finished. After Degl controlled another draw, she connected with Erin Brennan, who set her up from behind the cage for a goal that pushed the lead to 7-0 with 11:13 remaining in the half.
Even when Briarcliff managed to break the streak on the next draw, the Wolves forced another turnover almost immediately. Degl capitalized again, drawing a penalty and converting at 8:29.
With the game firmly in hand at 8-0, John Jay never slowed down. Degl scored again at 2:40, and two minutes later Amelia Inglis pushed the lead to double digits, triggering the running clock.
The final 12 minutes moved quickly, but Hall still took time to appreciate what she was learning from the experienced group around her.
“I’m learning to be a good member of a team,” she said.
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