The Mount de Sales Academy, Catonsville, Sailors triumphed over the The Seton Keough High School Gators Oct. 6-7 during their annual homecoming celebration.
Friends and families, alums and faculty gathered along the pathways of the historic high school on an uncharacteristically warm October afternoon to meet and greet while two of the five fall teams got down to business.
According to de Sales’ athletic director, Gene Williams, this year’s homecoming boasted the largest turnout in his six years at the school. “Our campus was full, and the weather was great. A number of school clubs set up in the piazza, and the energy level was just extraordinary,” said Williams. “And, you know, whenever we play Seton Keough, anything can happen.”
Kicking off the action on Oct. 6, the Sailors’ soccer team (2-6, 4-8) faced the Gators in an IAAM A Conference contest and came away with a 2-1 win on a first-half goal from sophomore Morgan Kavanagh, recently called up from the junior varsity program, and a second-half goal from junior Mary Linz.
On the season, the Sailors soccer team has now swept the rival Gators, giving them their lone conference victories. “Actually, we’ve never beaten Seton Keough in over six years,” said head coach Allison Jennings.
The following day, the field hockey and volleyball teams faced off, and again the Sailors dominated. But before the contests got underway, both teams joined at either midfield or center court to join in prayer together before the whistle blew and play got underway.
“It was great to see both schools’ teams praying and even talking and laughing together. This weekend was everything a sports rivalry should be,” said Gene Williams. “It was just a very positive experience.”
The de Sales field hockey team (5-2-1) came away with a 1-0 win over the Gators on a lone goal from senior Hannah Church, while the volleyball team continued their winning ways as well, blanking the Gators 3-0 (25-10, 25-18, 25-13) and extending their record to 4-1 in the IAAM A Conference and 9-1 overall.
“I have to give it to team captain, junior Kasey Mercier for that match,” said volleyball head coach Kenny Mills. “Kasey had five aces and went 15 for 18 from the service line. In addition, Kasey had 10 kills on the match.”
Before the games, Mount de Sales players presented their opponents with a bottle of Gatorade garnished in green shoelaces, acknowledging Seton Keough’s colors.