As the Germantown Academy seniors lined up to be honored one last time in front of their home crowd, there was a clear sense of tradition, experience, and closure in the air. Across the pitch, Baldwin School’s starting eleven featured a different kind of energy — not seasoned celebration, but the hunger and promise of a team still building its identity.
In a game that showcased the contrast between veteran presence and youthful resilience, Baldwin dropped a hard-fought 3–1 Inter-Ac League contest to GA on Tuesday afternoon. The Patriots' Senior Day celebration was punctuated with late goals and late-game control, but not before a spirited and tactically sharp Baldwin side, playing without their anchor in defense, left their imprint.
“I told the team before the game to focus on effort, teamwork, and defensive organization,” said Baldwin head coach Adrian Cox. “I knew if we did those three things well, we’d put ourselves in a position to win the game — and we were.”
That position came to fruition midway through the first half, when Baldwin struck first with a counterattack goal that was both clinical and symbolic of the team’s identity this fall: fast, intelligent, and collectively executed.
The play began deep in Baldwin territory when freshman center back Mia Wendler cleared a GA service with a strong header. Freshman midfielder Scarlett Rushing latched onto the loose ball and quickly played an outlet to fellow freshman Elise Skawinski. Skawinski found freshman Claire Hsia, who one-timed a perfectly weighted ball behind the GA backline. Junior striker Makena Lee did the rest — outrunning the defense, rounding the keeper, and slotting the ball into an open net.
“Our goal was one of the best counter-attack goals we’ve scored all season,” said Cox. “The speed of play in transition was fantastic. The decision-making was smart. We let the ball do the work.”
It was a moment that encapsulated Baldwin’s potential — but also highlighted the fine margins they play within, especially in a league as competitive and physically demanding as the Inter-Ac. The 1–0 advantage lasted only minutes before GA equalized with a breakaway goal of their own, exploiting space in behind the Baldwin defense to tie the match heading into halftime.
Despite the final scoreline, Baldwin’s commitment to its game plan never wavered. Lee and Hsia continued to pressure GA’s backline, generating multiple attacking chances in the second half. But GA’s depth — an 18-player rotation stacked with speed and strength — eventually wore down Baldwin’s younger legs.
The Patriots broke the deadlock with 10 minutes remaining and sealed the win with a third just before the final whistle. Still, the result didn’t overshadow Baldwin’s growth story.
Freshman Ally Walker, playing in place of her older sister in the center of defense, earned high praise from her coach.
“We missed having Kyla’s leadership and presence in the backline today, but I’m very happy with how Ally stepped into the role,” Cox said. “She played a strong game, made a lot of tackles, and solved defensive breakdowns. Ally displayed a lot of maturity for a freshman and continues to improve and play with confidence.”
And while the defense was under pressure for much of the afternoon, junior goalkeeper Anaka Boyd-Volz stood tall, making 13 saves to keep Baldwin within reach deep into the match.
“I’m proud of our defensive discipline, determination, and desire,” Cox added. “We’re such a young team, and these games teach us so much. All of our young players are committed to developing, and the teamwork on display was impressive.”
With no seniors on the roster and a revolving door of lineups due to injuries and illness, Baldwin has had to rely on adaptability as much as talent this fall. Their 10-6-1 overall record and 2-6 mark in league play may not tell the full story, but within the locker room, the identity is beginning to crystallize — gritty, growth-minded, and unafraid of the challenge.
Baldwin won’t have long to dwell on Tuesday’s result. They return to Inter-Ac action Wednesday with a road match against Agnes Irwin, another chance to build and battle — two things this group seems to embrace.
“The future continues to look bright,” said Cox. “With consistent hard work and belief, this group is going to accomplish a lot.”
