Agnes Irwin holds off Notre Dame
It is more probable than not that Alicia O'Neil was the only player on the field Tuesday in Agnes Irwin's pulse-pounding, 11-10, victory at Notre Dame who learned lacrosse in London, recorded a song in the famed Abbey Road Studios and once sang with the Spice Girls.
It is more probable than not that Alicia O'Neil was the only player on the field Tuesday in Agnes Irwin's pulse-pounding, 11-10, victory at Notre Dame who learned lacrosse in London, recorded a song in the famed Abbey Road Studios and once sang with the Spice Girls.
The sophomore midfielder for Agnes Irwin was only in second grade when her family moved to England.
There, she learned lacrosse, the sport her mother, Bonnie, played collegiately at Lafayette.
However, that wasn't the only overseas experience that would later come in handy for lacrosse.
O'Neil said she was in third grade when her singing group, the Capital Children's Choir, accompanied the Spice Girls during the group's reunion tour.
"It was at the O2 Arena and maybe seven nights," said O'Neil, who no longer sings because of athletic commitments. "We went and sang one song. I didn't really realize how big they were at the time until talking to people afterward and now I realize how big a deal it was."
And performing at a venue that holds 20,000 people was no small task.
"The first time I did it, I didn't realize how big the arena would be," said O'Neil. "And I just saw all these people out there, and I was out there singing behind the Spice Girls. It was so surreal at the time."
Along with some help from her teammtes, that experience has helped calm her athletic nerves.
"I think it's been really helpful because I know what I can take on, and I know I've been in that situation, and at such a young age," O'Neil said. "It really helps with confidence. Of course, I still get nervous before games, but my team holds me up so I have huge support and that's really helpful."
O'Neil netted three goals Tuesday while Laura Pansini (Princeton) led the Owls (19-1) with four.
Caroline Allen (four goals) led a furious Notre Dame comeback that included four straight goals scored in the final six minutes. Kenzie Irvine's final tally came with just 49 seconds remaining.
Led by Emily Fryer (six caused turnovers), Agnes Irwin's defense held firm. A win against Baldwin on Thursday would help clinch the Inter-Ac title.
"It was just such a big game because we're really excited to be so much closer to winning the Inter-Ac," O'Neil said. "Now, we just have one more game. It's been really exciting for us. It would be our first time in a long time and we've really been working hard for the past three years to get this."
Agnes irwin 5 6 - 11
Notre Dame 4 6 - 10
AG: Alicia O'Neil 3, Laura Pansini 4, Hannah Keating 3, Olivia Carey 1.
ND: Carolin Allen 4, Kenzie Irvine 3, Kelly Coyle 1, Claire Nappi 1, Carolyn Riegel 1.
Saves: ND–Kat Land 12; AG–Hailey Andress 5.