On a damp Wednesday afternoon with a slick turf surface and a steady drizzle still lingering in the air, Baldwin didn’t just weather the conditions — they took full advantage of them.
The Baldwin School Polar Bears (7-1, 1-1 Inter-Ac) put together one of their most complete performances of the season in a 2-0 road win over The Academy of Notre Dame, notching their sixth shutout in eight games. It was a win marked by early attacking precision, defensive discipline, and a tactical awareness that continues to separate Baldwin as one of the Inter-Ac's top programs this fall.
“It’s always good to get the first goal early, especially in conditions like these,” said head coach Adrian Cox. “We emphasized taking more shots because of the wet surface — anything can happen.”
Freshman midfielder Elise Skawinski listened.
Just seven minutes in, Skawinski collected the ball in open space and launched a high, lofted strike from 30 yards out. It hung in the air long enough to pull gasps from the small crowd and dip just under the crossbar — out of reach for the Notre Dame goalkeeper and into the top right corner.
It was the kind of shot that doesn’t happen if you’re not willing to try. And Baldwin, even with a roster stacked with underclassmen, continues to show a veteran's confidence in critical moments.
“We’ve been telling the team to test the keeper more often,” Cox said. “Elise took her chance, and it really set the tone.”
The momentum snowballed from there.
Midway through the first half, Baldwin doubled its lead. This time, it was a combination of youthful vision and veteran finishing. Freshman midfielder Claire Hsia slipped a perfectly weighted through ball past the Irish backline, and junior co-captain Makena Lee timed her run with precision. One touch to settle, another to beat the keeper.
2-0. Clinical.
“It’s something we’ve been working a lot on in training,” Cox said of the sequence. “Makena made a smart, timely run, and Claire’s pass was spot on. Makena’s a handful for any defense — the speed, the dribbling, the shot — she’s always a threat.”
Baldwin’s attack finished with 12 shots on goal and five corner kicks, but it was the defensive organization that truly sealed the win. The center back pairing of junior co-captain Kyla Walker and freshman Mia Wendler was composed and assertive, snuffing out Notre Dame’s attempts to counter. Outside backs Annie Reed, Zoey Schaubel, and Avery Stoops each showed marked improvement in positioning and distribution, rarely letting play build in wide areas.
In the engine room, sophomore Sierra Gilbert and freshman Ally Walker played like seasoned veterans. Their aggression in duels and calmness on the ball provided the balance needed to protect the back line while initiating attacks.
And behind it all stood Anaka Boyd-Volz — Baldwin’s junior goalkeeper and vocal anchor. She finished with six saves, including two sharp stops in the second half that kept Notre Dame from finding a way back into the match.
“Six shutouts in eight games says a lot about the team’s shape, discipline, and trust in one another,” Cox said. “Anaka continues to grow each game — she’s imposing, confident, and gives our defense a ton of belief.”
Now sitting at 7-1 overall and back to even in league play, Baldwin turns its attention to a crucial home matchup this Friday, September 26, against a physical Germantown Academy side.
“It’s going to be a battle,” Cox said. “We’ll use the next practice to fine tune some passing patterns and movement off the ball. The group is motivated — they’re hungry to keep growing.”
If Tuesday's win was any indication, the Bears aren’t just surviving in the Inter-Ac — they’re starting to dictate the terms.
Next Match:
📅 Friday, Sept. 26 | 4:00 p.m.
📍 The Baldwin School vs. Germantown Academy
🏆 Inter-Ac League Matchup
📅 Friday, Sept. 26 | 4:00 p.m.
📍 The Baldwin School vs. Germantown Academy
🏆 Inter-Ac League Matchup
