Beth Deegan has
the drive to succeed

By Melissa Yerkov
Times Sports Editor

Beth Deegan has always had the talent to win, but, unfortunately, as a freshman she didn’t have the drive.
That’s why Deegan — now a senior at Little Flower High School — had to skip her debut season with the Sentinels.
"I didn’t play my freshman year because I had a lot of trouble with transportation," said Deegan, a Port Richmond resident. "My parents both work a lot and I didn’t really know anyone at school yet, so it was tough."
The second time around, though, Deegan was much more prepared.
"By sophomore year, I had met a lot of friends and knew more people from my neighborhood, so I could find rides a lot easier," she said.
As a sophomore, Deegan’s main responsibility was to aid then-goalie Caitlin Agnew as a defender. The Sentinels finished in first place in the Southern Division regular season that year. Unfortunately their success was halted in the title game, a 3-2 loss to Cardinal O’Hara.
By the following season Agnew had graduated, leaving Little Flower on a search for a new goaltender.
"The team needed someone," said Deegan. "They had no one else, so I stepped up. I’m taking one for the team, I guess.
"I like playing the field more so I could touch the ball with my feet more and score," she continued. "I don’t mind playing goalie, though. If I have to do something for the team, I’m going to do it."
And she’s doing a fine job.
During her initial season as a goaltender, the Sentinels scored a Catholic League title. And this year, despite losing 12 seniors to graduation, the defending champs are hoping that history will repeat itself.
"Winning last year adds a lot of pressure, because now girls want to beat us more, so they bring their best game," said Deegan. "They’re more aggressive. But we’re doing fine."
The Sentinels have outscored their opponents 65-15 throughout the regular season this year, achieving a 12-1-2 record.
And much of their success can be attributed to the 5-foot-9 goaltender standing tall at the end of the field.
"I don’t need to jump to touch the goalpost, so my height definitely helps," Deegan said with a grin. "And I can see everything on the field, so I try to let the team know who is open and where to go."
When Deegan, 17, is not blocking goals for the Sentinels, she’s pursuing her own goals off the field.
"Right now I’m doing all the college applications and essays and stuff, and it’s going good so far," said Deegan, who has expressed high interest in Immaculata University. "Hopefully I’ll keep playing soccer in college. I know I’m definitely going to try out."
Deegan plans to follow in her grandmother’s footsteps and study nursing.
"After watching her help people, I knew that’s what I wanted to do," said Deegan. "It’s inspiring to know you can make a difference."
For now, Deegan wants to help her teammates on the soccer field, and hopefully win another championship.
"I’m so happy at Little Flower," she said. "The girls are so spirited and fun. I’m enjoying it as much as I can now, because I know I’m going to really miss it here." ••
Sports editor Melissa Yerkov can be reached at 215-354-3035 or myerkov@phillynews.com