Salvucci, Dirks send Episcopal to title game

Anna Salvucci and Olivia Dirks have teamed up on their fair share of goals this season for the Episcopal Academy girls soccer team.

None, though, were as big as the one they combined for in EA’s 2-1 victory over Germantown Academy in the semifinal round of the Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association tournament Wednesday afternoon.

Salvucci headed home a pass from Dirks off a corner with 24 minutes, 57 seconds left in the second half to give the third-seeded Churchwomen a 2-0 lead.

That goal loomed large when Allison Clark converted a pass from Kiley Kergides with 5:22 remaining in regulation to get the second-seeded Patriots within a goal.

EA’s defense, however, made sure that would be all the scoring for GA. The Churchwomen limited the Patriots to four shots.

EA goalie Allie Bush only had to make one save.

Dirks got the Churchwomen on the board 4:53 into the first half off passes from Maddie Loughead and Raina Kuzemka. It stayed 1-0 until Salvucci found the back of the net in the second half.

The win sends EA into the PAISAA championship game next Wednesday at Immaculata University (5:30 p.m.) against the winner of Thursday’s game between top-seeded Penn Charter and No. 4 Baldwin.