Archbishop Wood works overtime to capture Catholic League girls' soccer title

It was just a little reminder, Bill Cappo quipped.

"To let them know," the longtime Archbishop Wood girls' soccer coach said.

Remind the Vikings of what?

All they had to do was look at the back of his black zip-up jacket with 2009 Catholic League champions written on the back to find out.

"I don't think anybody expected us to be here," Cappo said. "But through their hard work, it's them. That's this team, they did it themselves. They worked hard."

Many may not have expected the Vikings to win Saturday afternoon at the South Philadelphia Supersite, but they did just that, defeating Lansdale Catholic in overtime, 2-1, to capture the Catholic League title.

"It's everything, for the seniors especially, but this whole team has worked for it all year," defenseman Kylie Menarde said. "This has been our goal - it is all we wanted to do - and that's how we came out today. We wanted this more than anything."

The Crusaders (17-3-1), who won the regular season contest between the two squads, 4-1, struck early but Wood (13-6-1) responded, and the game was knotted at 1 at halftime. Neither side could capitalize on chances in the second half and so the contest went to extra time.

It was during that first overtime period when Wood senior Sophia Filippo had a high-quality chance saved by Lansdale Catholic keeper Cailey Maxwell, earning the Vikings a corner.

"After I shot it, I was like, 'Ugh, I should have shot bottom left, I should have done this, I should have done that,' but then I redeemed myself," the midfielder said.

Redeem herself she did, as she sent a beautifully placed Menarde corner into the back of the net for the game winner.

"She's been doing it for four years," Cappo said. "She's a four-year varsity starter and nobody has a work ethic like she does."

But did Filippo notice what Cappo was wearing?

"I didn't actually," Filippo said. "But that's awesome."

What'll be more awesome? When Filippo has a jacket like that of her own.

Archbishop Wood 1 0 1 - 2

Lansdale Catholic 1 0 0 - 1

Goals: AW- Leah Brzezicki, Sophia Filippo; LC- Sarah Fitzpatrick

Saves: AW- Molly Fleming 5; LC- Cailey Maxwell 4

kharman@philly.com @ka_harman