Eckert and classmates aiming for fourth PCL title in final high school match

Three years after leading Archbishop Wood to a Philadelphia Catholic League title as a 9th grader, forward Paige Eckert is aiming to bookend her fabulous high school career with another star turn in what will be her last career game on Saturday at Saint Joseph’s University.

Eckert had a brace in her first PCL final in 2022, scoring the game-winner to beat Lansdale Catholic in overtime and despite not scoring in either the 2023 or 2024 finals was instrumental in leading the front line for the Vikings in those finals too. As a program, Wood has won four straight titles.

“It never gets old, that feeling of going back there, and even though I’ve been there three years now, I think this one’s just special, because I’m a senior and it’s my last PCL game ever,” Eckert said after Wood’s 4-1 win over Nazareth Academy on Tuesday night.

Eckert didn’t find the back of the net in the semifinal on Tuesday but her work in drawing defenders and fouls in dangerous places was key in a match that was harder fought than the score line might suggest.

“She put her body on the line and just put everything out there,” Kosmin said after Tuesday’s win. “It doesn’t show up in the stats, but she’s drawing those defenders out, and it’s allowing opportunities for other people to step up, which they did.”

One of those standouts on Tuesday was 9th grader Mia Kosmin, who had the opening goal in the first half with a lovely left-footed strike and assisted on a Molly McConnell goal off a corner kick.

“The underclassmen are great,” said Eckert, an NJIT commit. “They came in and stepped up really big, especially in this atmosphere. It definitely brings me back to my days.”

After the match, Eckert, the Philadelphia Catholic League MVP, posed for a photo with her teammates and a home-made sign marking her 50 career goals. None other to date were as big as her overtime winner in 2022 but she’s hoping her last time wearing the Wood jersey will top even that moment.

“The dream is to win it and score,” Eckert said. “Just like freshman year.”

Saturday’s match against St. Hubert will be played at Saint Joseph’s University at 4:30 p.m.