Resilient but Outmatched: Baldwin Holds Strong Early, Falls Late to Defending Champs SCH in 3-0 Defeat

For 55 minutes, The Baldwin School looked like a team determined to flip the narrative.

After weeks of frustrating early concessions in Inter-Ac League play, the Polar Bears stood toe-to-toe with a powerhouse in Springside Chestnut Hill Academy, denying the defending league champions any breathing room in a taut, scoreless battle under the gray October skies.

But quality finds its way through pressure eventually. SCH, a senior-laden squad with five NCAA Division I commits and an identity forged in poise and precision, finally broke the deadlock in the 56th minute—and then showed why they remain the class of the Inter-Ac.

In the end, the final score read 3-0 in favor of the Blue Devils, a result that dropped Baldwin to 7-5 overall and 1-5 in league play. Yet the final whistle told only part of the story.

“I’m proud of how we responded,” said Baldwin head coach Adrian Cox. “After a slow game against Penn Charter, the team showed real character today. We didn’t concede early, and we were locked in defensively from the start. That was a real step forward.”

The narrative heading into Tuesday afternoon’s match centered on Baldwin’s vulnerability in the opening minutes. The Polar Bears had made a habit of giving up early goals in recent league contests, making each match an uphill climb before they’d even settled into rhythm.

But this time, Baldwin’s back line—disciplined, well-organized, and compact—gave SCH little space to operate. Center backs Kyla Walker and Mia Wendler were instrumental in keeping the game in check, while junior keeper Anaka Boyd-Volz turned away everything that came her way—for a while.

Boyd-Volz was immense between the posts, recording 15 saves in total, including a pair of sprawling stops in the first half that preserved parity. Her command of the box and quick reactions were key in neutralizing SCH’s fluid front line.

“She’s got great instincts,” said Cox of Boyd-Volz. “When you have a keeper playing with that kind of confidence, it energizes the whole team.”

But SCH, winners of last season's league title and loaded with experience, kept probing. Their breakthrough came in the 56th minute, the result of sustained pressure and a moment of precision.

An SCH winger cut in from the right and delivered a curling cross into the heart of the area. Boyd-Volz charged to intercept but was a half-step late. The Blue Devils’ striker met the ball in stride and slotted it home from 12 yards out.

It was a clinical finish, and it opened the floodgates.

SCH added a second goal from a corner—an unstoppable header into the top corner—and iced the game with a third following a failed clearance that led to a loose ball scramble inside the box.

Despite the late collapse on the scoreboard, Cox saw plenty to like.

“This is a young group, but today we looked like a team willing to compete against the best,” Cox said. “We were compact, we communicated well, and the entire team was committed to their roles. It’s the type of effort we can build on.”

While the Blue Devils controlled the majority of possession and finished with a commanding edge in shots, Baldwin’s shape and resolve kept the game in check far longer than previous matchups against top-tier league opponents.

Cox acknowledged the next step is improving in possession—controlling tempo, making cleaner first touches, and turning defense into sustained attacking movement.

“We’re working on speed of play, decision-making, and gaining control in transition,” he said. “That’s how we’ll evolve and turn these performances into results.”

There’s little time to dwell on Tuesday’s defeat. Baldwin is back in action less than 24 hours later, hosting Masterman School in a non-league Senior Day clash on Wednesday, October 8.

Before kickoff, the team will honor its five seniors: Sabrina Cohen, Haley Duong, Annapaola Fike, Laila Gopalani, and Leona Luo—all of whom have made significant contributions to the program on and off the pitch.

“Our program is very close-knit,” said Cox. “Senior Day is always special. We’ll honor their leadership and celebrate their impact. The players are excited to compete again and hopefully end the day with a win and some well-deserved celebration.”

With several league matches still ahead and a foundation of defensive resilience taking shape, the Polar Bears may yet have a few surprises left this fall.

But regardless of results, Tuesday offered a glimpse of what Baldwin could become—not just a team that endures, but one that competes.

Next Game:
📍 The Baldwin School vs. Masterman School
📅 Wednesday, October 8 – Senior Day
🎓 Honoring: Sabrina Cohen, Haley Duong, Annapaola Fike, Laila Gopalani, Leona Luo