CONCORD — Garnet Valley came out flying, then had to grind late to escape with a 2-1 win over Ridley in Tuesday’s Central League opener.

The Jaguars were the better team in the first quarter, controlling possession and generating corners at will. The constant pressure paid off with 4:01 left in the frame when All-Delco senior Regan Leydig jammed home a goal past Ridley’s outstanding goalkeeper, Elise Martin. At that point it looked like Garnet Valley (3-1) might spend the afternoon camped in the circle, piling on goals.

Ridley (3-1) had other ideas. True to form under head coach Mara Schnellenbach, the Green Raiders shook off what Schnellenbach admitted was an “intimidated” first quarter and battled back, turning what could have been a blowout into a nail-biter.

Leydig’s goal and a third-quarter strike from Lexi Migliocco proved just enough to keep the Jags in front. Ridley made them work for every possession down the stretch, but GV managed to hang on, thanks in part to a pivotal caused turnover by junior Morgan O’Donnell when Ridley was making one last charge with about 90 seconds to play.

Afterward, Garnet Valley coach Michaela DelSardo reminded her team that not every Central League game is going to be pretty. Coming off a 14-win season and a district playoff victory, the Jags have the roster to chase reigning champ Conestoga. Ridley showed it intends to be part of that chase as well.

Leydig admitted that Garnet Valley learned an early lesson. They know it will take four full quarters of consistent hockey for the Jaguars to reach their goals this season. The schedule has already tested them, with a 2-1 win over Downingtown West, a District 1 Class 3A semifinalist last fall, and a 3-1 loss to Villa Maria, last year’s District 1 Class 3A champ and PIAA runner-up.

“When we do bring the intensity from the start, we have to keep it throughout the game,” Leydig said. “We cannot let up after we score, no matter what the score is.”

Ridley kept grinding after Migliocco slipped one through to make it 2-0 with 7:04 left in the third. By then the Green Raiders had shaken off their sluggish start and were pushing the tempo, but had nothing to show for it. In the second quarter they earned four penalty corners but couldn’t get a clean look past GV goalie Maggie Hilden, who finished with three saves. Early in the third, another corner chance was snuffed out by O’Donnell, a rock on the Jaguars’ back line.

Several minutes later, Migliocco cashed in.

Still, Ridley didn’t blink. A wild scrum in front of the cage left Alexa Bair with a clear swing, and she buried it with 1:45 left in the third to slice the deficit to 2-1.

“I think part of our team and our character is that we don’t ever give up and we fight,” Schnellenbach said. “Just from being in the Central League and seeing teams like Garnet, ‘Stoga, Radnor and Springfield, it’s a really hard league to be in. All of those teams can be intimidating, but we’re not the team we were six years ago. I think (her players) realize that now, and they’re playing up to their potential. I love that people are talking about our grittiness because that’s what we’re all about at Ridley.”

Schnellenbach loves the way her squad keeps clawing back, a trait that has already shown up a few times this season. And nobody embodies the Green Raiders’ “grittiness’ more than Martin, their All-Central League goalie, who turned away nine shots.

“On Friday, we played Faith Christian and we were down 4-2. We ended up winning 5-4,” Schnellenbach said. “I think it just comes down to who we are and how we practice in the offseason. We’re focusing on fitness, fundamentals and skills. They know that they can come back on teams, but I don’t want to be a team that has to come back all the time. I don’t want that to be a habit all season.”

Leydig knew getting on the board early would be key, and it paid off, even if the Jags had to fight to the bitter end to secure the win. The defense played a huge role in holding the line, and senior Addison Troy stood out with a solid all-around performance. There’s plenty for the Jaguars to be proud of, even as they continue to work on improving across the field.

“During our practices we have to keep practicing like how we would play in a game, and be ready for any team we play,” Leydig said. “We just have to make sure we always have the intensity and we are always communicating.”

In other Central League action:

Springfield 10, Upper Darby 0 >> The Cougars dominated start to finish, with Macy Gougler, Ella Smyth and Neilee Capstick each netting a pair of goals. Kelsey Brown, Rosy Caramanico, Reese Tracy and Ava Raum added a goal apiece.

For the Royals, Su-Nyi Heller battled between the pipes, recording 11 saves.

In a nonleague game:

Episcopal Academy 5, Kennett 4 >> Lauren Notaro came through with the game-winner for the Churchwomen, finding the back of the cage with 4:32 left in the fourth quarter.

All-Delco Rebecca Block recorded a hat trick and an assist, while Grace Vanderwaag also added a goal. Episcopal goalies Payton Smith and Caidyn Schmidt combined for three saves.