Youth/High School Soccer
Episcopal Academy grind out win against Westtown with early goal, PK save
Graham Quedenfeld capitalized on a mistake in the back between goalkeeper and defender to score an open net in the first half and Charlie Esterhai stepped up with a penalty kick save in the second half to secure a 1-0 win for Episcopal Academy at home against Westtown on Tuesday afternoon.
The early non-conference game was a rematch of one of the wildest games of the 2025 high school season, which Westtown won en route to a trip to the PAISAA final.
Both teams lined up with a lot of different faces (and underclassmen) but goalkeeper Esterhai had last year’s game on his mind. After splitting time with Marco Giancroce the past two seasons, Esterhai is the full-time starter now and embracing the captain role.
“I haven’t stopped thinking about that game last year and that play (overtime winner),” Esterhai said. “It was really nice to get there and take them down with new players but also some returning guys,”
The decisive penalty attempt came early in the second half after a foul was called in the box.
“The play is unfortunate but for me it was important not to talk to the ref and not complain and just focus on making the save and reading the player’s body,” Esterhai said. “That was my priority, not to debate with the ref because you’re not going to change his mind.”
Westtown continued to push for the equalizer, but Esterhai commanding his line and defensive grit – sophomore Alex Dimopolous made a couple of timely open field tackles – kept the Moose off the board.
“It was a hard fought win,” Episcopal head coach Zach Ward said. “A lot of credit to Westtown; they’re a good side that moves the ball around well and they forced us into some tight situations and made us defend more than we really want to.”
The Churchmen improved to 4-0 to start the season. They’re ranked No. 5 in the most recent Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches Association poll and 10th in the United Soccer Coaches regional rankings.
“I thought the boys just really grinded one out there,” Ward said. “It wasn’t the cleanest by any means but results are results and it gains momentum and the boys are excited.”
