Ragdolls crowned
Catholic League champs!

By Melissa Yerkov
Times Sports Editor

For Megan Tole, the best things in life come in pairs.
The Archbishop Ryan High School midfielder — a senior who’s a two-time All-State soccer selection — recently scored her second consecutive Catholic League championship crown.
"That’s two, baby!" she screamed through tears of joy after the Ragdolls’ 1-0 shutout of Archbishop Wood on Oct. 30. "Two years in a row! It’s an incredible feeling right now. The team played amazingly. They played with a lot of heart."
Senior Christina Zambito scored the Ragdolls’ only goal in the final two minutes of the title game, held at Archbishop Ryan’s George J. Todt Field on last Thursday’s nearly freezing autumn night. The midfielder and team co-captain slammed the ball into the net with an assist from sophomore Kelsey Stevens.
Goaltender Jess Koci had a powerful performance as well, guarding her net like a pro with seven saves.
"I thought the first half was the way that Wood wanted it to go," said coach Ryan Haney, who has led his squad to three straight title-game appearances during his four years as the Ragdolls’ boss. "Then the second half we came out with a little more heart, a little more intensity. We had a lot of chances.
"The entire second half I was like, ‘That’s going to go in! That’s going to go in!’, and then to get it within the last two minutes was unbelievable," he added.
The championship triumph capped an incredible run on the pitch for the Ragdolls, whose big win last week added to a five-game winning streak, including four shutouts. The squad has outscored its opponents by 49-14 this year, earning a third-seed spot in postseason play.
"To come out and do what we did was great," said Haney. "I’m really happy for the entire team, but especially the seniors."
The Ragdolls’ success also earned them their first berth in the PIAA playoffs. On Tuesday, as the Times went to press, they prepared to face the No. 2 Class AAA team from District 1, Villa Joseph Marie High School, in the state playoff game at the South Philadelphia Athletic Supersite.
"We’re not done yet. We still have another game left," Tole said before the playoff match. "We’re going to keep working hard and keep improving our game, and play to win.
"It’s amazing, coming out and winning in my junior year and now coming back and winning again as a senior. It’s incredible," she continued. "But we still have work to do."
Tole is a team captain along with Zambito, Anna Sacklad and Brittany Palmer. In addition to helping her squad achieve a solid season, Tole has realized some accomplishments of her own, including All-State honors for the second straight year and leading the league in goals, with 20.
But she emphasizes that the Ragdolls once again tasted victory together.
"I love helping my team out. I’m glad there are other people scoring — it’s not just me. Everyone contributes and everyone helped make this happen," said Tole. "It’s an honor (to be named All-State), but I just play to win. I don’t pay attention to stats and scoring records. I just want my team to win."
With the conclusion of soccer season, Tole will head for the basketball court with the Ragdolls and, hopefully, another championship run.
"Basketball starts November-something," Tole said with a laugh. "I get about a week off, then I get right back into it. But I like it like that. I love playing sports. It’s my favorite thing."
After graduation in the spring, Tole would like to play soccer in college. However, before she starts planning her future, Tole wants to take time to savor the past.
"I have no idea where I’m headed, or what I want to study," she said. "I definitely want to play soccer, maybe basketball too. I don’t know. And I’m undecided about all that right now. I’ve just been concentrating on soccer these days.
"I’ve had so many amazing memories here, but these two championships in a row are my greatest," an ecstatic Tole, said after last week’s title win. "We worked so hard for this, and it’s an amazing feeling." ••
Sports editor Melissa Yerkov can be reached at 215-354-3035 or myerkov@phillynews.com