Sports

Girls Lacrosse: Nora Bailer, Episcopal keep control, hold off Notre Dame

By Matt Smith, Daily Times, Primos, Pa. The Tribune Content Agency

April 22, 2026 11:59 PM

NEWTOWN SQUARE – Nora Bailer on Tuesday did what Nora Bailer does.

The Episcopal Academy senior and Army recruit took over at the draw circle, made plays when it mattered most, and helped the Churchwomen fend off a late rally from Academy of Notre Dame for an 11-9 win in a heavyweight Inter-Ac girls lacrosse battle.

The win keeps Episcopal (11-2, 6-0) alone at the top of the league. The Churchwomen have claimed at least a share of the Inter-Ac title every year since 2017 and are chasing a second straight outright crown. They've now taken down all three nationally ranked league rivals - Agnes Irwin, Notre Dame and Penn Charter - with one more matchup against each still ahead before the PAISSA tournament in mid-May.

Bailer finished with a game-high four goals and an assist. But her biggest impact came on the draw. She piled up 14 draw controls and helped steady things late with a huge feed to Sofia Gagliardi for a clutch insurance goal in the fourth quarter.

Episcopal entered the week ranked No. 7 nationally by USA Lacrosse Magazine, while Notre Dame 15th.

"You know most of these kids just from growing up, playing lacrosse around here. You know how good everyone is," Bailer said. "A lot of these games are so meaningful, especially when it comes to the Inter-Ac title."

Bailer scored the first two goals in the opening quarter as Episcopal jumped out to leads of 5-1 and 6-2 in the first half. She added two more tallies late in the third to stretch the lead to 9-2 with 4:50 left in the quarter, and it looked like the Churchwomen might cruise.

But Notre Dame (9-5, 2-4) didn't go away.

The Irish closed the third with three straight goals, including an Audrey Carreon buzzer-beater, then got another from Abby Sims 52 seconds into the fourth to make it 9-6. Suddenly, the pendulum had swung in ND's favor and what looked comfortable for EA got hairy in a hurry.

Episcopal, though, wasn't deterred.

"I think because we are so close, we can hold each other accountable. If we are down in a game, we know what we have to fix," Bailer said. "Our coach (Josie Tomaino) pulls us aside and gets us back in the game. She lets us know what we have to do. It's all about switching the momentum and getting back in our groove, just figuring out what works and keep doing it. As long as we keep getting the ball."

That last part was vital, and Bailer made sure of it. Her dominance on the draw kept possessions tilted Episcopal's way, even as Notre Dame kept things interesting.

Things still got tense late. ND's Riley Davis won a draw and found Keira McHugh for a goal that cut the deficit to 10-8 with 7:32 left. The Irish went up a player on an EA yellow card, but Davis missed wide in traffic and Episcopal regained possession.

Notre Dame goalie Madyn Arata came up with an athletic save on a low shot with three minutes left, but the Churchwomen kept the ball and went back on the attack. With time winding down, Maeve Irish found Gagliardi cutting across, and her third goal of the day made it 11-8 with 1:01 to play.

Notre Dame added a late buzzer-beater from Davis, but it didn't make a difference.

"I definitely think these Inter-Ac games are the most fun and obviously have the most pressure," said Irish, who finished with three goals and two assists. "The Inter-Ac is such a highly competitive league with Notre Dame, Agnes Irwin, Penn Charter – all of those schools are very good, so it makes the competition so much more fun. And winning these games is so important. We know every game is going to be tough.

"We knew what was coming at us today. Notre Dame is very good. We had to adjust. And I also think that before the game, just knowing that there are going to be times when we have to fix our offense and defense. I thought we adapted really well, and we were able to stick together."

Gagliardi finished with three goals, an assist, two ground balls and an interception. Maya Le added a goal, and Avery Buckley flourished on defense with three caused turnovers. Fallon Crowther made four saves and had an interception for EA.

McHugh led Notre Dame with three goals, an assist and four ground balls. Sims and Emmy Anthony each scored twice, and Arata finished with eight saves.

In the Central League:

Springfield 14, Strath Haven 8 >> Katie Keffer led the way with four goals and two assists as the Cougars (12-0, 7-0) stayed unbeaten.

Mia Wainwright (two assists) and Mary Longo each notched hat tricks, and goalie Harper Garrett made six saves.

Radnor 9, Garnet Valley 6 >> Caroline Quinn recorded a hat trick, and Fran Lucchesi added two goals to pace the Raptors. Avery Tyrrell made four saves in the cage.

Summer Bakey had two goals for the Jaguars.

Marple Newtown 8, Haverford 7 >> The Tigers jumped out to a 3-0 lead after one quarter and held off a late push from the Fords.

Rowan Hilden came up big in net with 12 saves. Jonica Wark scored three times, while Amelia DiValerio and Riley Mattson each added two goals.

Maddie Shafer led Haverford with three goals and an assist. Elizabeth Walker and Kayla Elliott each had a goal and four draw controls, and Lucy McCloskey made six saves.

Penncrest 13, Harriton 7 >> Campbell O'Neill scored four times, and Leah Childs added a hat trick to lead the Lions. Lucy DiCandeloro and Taylor Knox each chipped in two goals, and Reese Wickman made seven saves in net.

Makenna Williams paced the Rams with four goals.

Conestoga 16, Lower Merion 5 >> The Pioneers (12-0, 7-0) kept pace with Springfield for the top spot in the Central League and District 1 Class 3A power rankings.

Leading the way were Lu Misener and Julia Cowgill, both of whom posted a hat trick. Misener dominated the on draw controls, winning eight, and Cowgill forced two turnovers.

In the Catholic League:

Cardinal O'Hara 22, Archbishop Ryan 2 >> Fran Fazio accumulated six goals, three assists, six ground balls and two caused turnovers as the Lions built a 14-1 halftime lead.

Eva Marquis added four goals, an assist, five draw controls and three ground balls. Katie Kalinchak scored four times, and Penny Miller finished with three goals, four assists, six draw controls, six ground balls and three caused turnovers.