By Melissa Yerkov
Times Sports Editor
Jennifer James walked away from the Little Flower soccer team last year with unforgettable memories and friendships — and a Catholic League title.
But even after her high school glory days were over, James wasn’t ready to say goodbye to her team.
So alongside three of her Sentinel sisters — midfielders Kelly Spross and Jillian Shank and forward Lauren Sullivan — James teamed up with the Holy Family University soccer squad this year and did it again.
"It feels really good to come to a college team and go all the way," said James, who plays midfield. "And it was really exciting to win again with some of the same girls. I know I’d be comfortable playing with them here."
The fierce foursome helped the Tigers go 11-0 in conference play, winning the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) championship by defeating Philadelphia University, 1-0, on Nov. 3 at Tryon Field in Rutherford, N.J.
"I was hoping to win this year. I know they went as a team last year, so I was hoping that we’d go back again and win it," said James, referring to the Tigers’ 5-4 loss to Philadelphia University in last year’s championship. "Coming in as a freshman, I knew it meant a lot to the seniors, so I just worked as hard as I could for them. I know it was their last year to come to the championship."
Midfielder Kaitlin Gavaghan, an Archbishop Ryan graduate, scored the championship game’s only goal within the 36th minute of the contest. Solid defense from both squads, combined with seven saves by Tigers goaltender Kelly McGrogan, helped Holy Family claim its third title ever and the first since 2005.
"I was pretty nervous for the championship, but I was confident that we were going to do well," said James.
The title win qualified Holy Family to compete in the NCAA Division II Championship Tournament for the first time in Tigers history. However, their season ended after a 4-0 loss to Franklin Pierce in the opening round on Friday afternoon at Bryant University.
Midfielder Gabriela Demoner had three of the Ravens’ goals, with forward Rachel Smith kicking in the last. Holy Family finished the season with a 14-8 record.
"It was a big goal of ours to get to this tournament," said coach Mike Biddle. "I’m proud of the girls. It was a good season, and it always feels great to win the championship."
The title game was additionally thrilling for the Holy Family community this year because the school was able to experience it twice. The Tigers’ men’s squad earned a spot in the CACC championship game as well this season, but fell to Wilmington University by penalty kicks and finished with a 14-7-2 overall record.
"The whole experience was especially exciting, with the boys going to the championship too," said James. "I was excited to bring home that banner."
Although this is her first title win on the collegiate level, the experience — following last year’s Catholic League championship with Little Flower — is helping James get used to the thrill of standing in the winner’s circle.
"This is different because it is a different team," she said. "But I knew coming here that I’d know some girls and I knew they would make me feel like part of the team, so I was looking forward to that."
Biddle can clearly see their chemistry at work on the field.
"They seem to work really well together on the field because they know where each other are," the coach said of the former Little Flower athletes. "We play similar to the style they played in high school, and it helps them."
While familiar faces on the pitch helped James decide to team up with the Tigers, family ties led her to choose Holy Family in the first place.
"I’m really close with my family and I wanted to stay as close with them as possible," said James, a Bridesburg resident. "I live on campus, but it’s like a fifteen-minute drive and I’m home, which is great.
"My parents can come up and watch every game," she added. "That’s another reason why I came here. If I went far, they wouldn’t be able to come watch my games. And that’s a big part of soccer for me — having my parents there to cheer me on."
In the classroom, James is charting her future by taking part in Holy Family’s nursing program.
"I have a lot of nurses in my family and I always thought of it as a good way to earn a living and a way to help people," said James. "I really like the program here because the classes are small. You really get a lot of attention from the teachers, which makes it easier to raise your hand in class and participate.
"Holy Family almost reminds me of another Little Flower," she added. "They are really close-knit here. Everybody makes you feel welcome — we’re all friends." ••