News Story
Penn Charter Overwhelms Short-Handed Baldwin, but Bears Eye Fresh Start in PAISAA Commonwealth Cup
The Baldwin School soccer team entered Tuesday’s Inter-Ac League matchup against powerhouse Penn Charter missing five key players due to injuries and illness — and the absence showed. Facing one of the most disciplined and high-scoring teams in the region, the Bears struggled to match Penn Charter’s depth and tempo, ultimately falling 9–0 on their home field.
The loss dropped Baldwin to 10–9–1 overall and 2–9 in league play, but context matters: the Bears were not at full strength, and head coach Adrian Cox believes the experience — however lopsided — will serve as fuel for the postseason that begins less than 24 hours later.
“When our team is at full strength, we are a completely different team,” Cox said after the game. “It has been a long season with a lot of highs and lows. That’s what’s special about a sports season — you can learn so much from the highs and lows, and it teaches you to be resilient, fight through adversity, build character, and work together as a team.”
Penn Charter came out firing, scoring multiple goals in the opening 20 minutes and dictating play throughout. The Quakers’ speed on the wings and efficiency in front of goal overwhelmed Baldwin’s defensive shape, which had to adjust on the fly without several regular starters.
Still, Baldwin’s younger players — including several freshmen thrust into expanded roles — battled to contain the relentless Penn Charter attack. Junior goalkeeper Anaka Boyd-Volz made a handful of impressive saves to limit the damage, while the defense scrambled to block shots and clear rebounds in a match that tested their poise and endurance.
The Bears’ offense, typically sparked by their midfield playmakers, struggled to find rhythm without several key contributors. Yet even amid the defeat, Cox pointed to the intangible growth his team continues to show.
“We’ve learned so many valuable lessons from every game, which has prepared us for a postseason run,” Cox said. “We can’t wait to play Cristo Rey and continue the season. We don’t want it to end. We have an opportunity to win a Cup, and that’s exciting for the program.”
That next opportunity comes quickly. Baldwin — the No. 1 seed in the Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association (PAISAA) Commonwealth Cup — hosts Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School in a quarterfinal matchup Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. at Baldwin’s Lower Field.
For a young Baldwin roster featuring eight freshmen, five sophomores, and three juniors, the Commonwealth Cup offers a welcome reset and a chance to translate the lessons of a grueling Inter-Ac schedule into postseason success.
“We are battle-tested after playing so many talented programs in the Inter-Ac League,” Cox said. “It’s a fresh start when you enter postseason play, and we’re motivated to finish the season on a positive note. We’re fortunate to have home-field advantage and to play in front of our school community.”
Baldwin will close out its Inter-Ac campaign Thursday at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy, but the Bears’ focus is squarely on Wednesday’s Commonwealth Cup opener — and on regaining health, momentum, and confidence at the right time.
If Tuesday was about survival, Wednesday will be about renewal.
