Padua too strong for Archmere in soccer matinee

Dialog reporter
 
CLAYMONT – Padua took control early in its nonconference soccer game at Archmere on May 2, scoring five first-half goals on the way to a 6-0 win. Julia Detwiler and Ashlee Brentlinger each scored a pair of goals and added an assist for the Pandas, the top-ranked team in Delaware.
Padua controlled possession throughout and peppered Auks keeper Kyra Giakas with shots all afternoon. Those times Archmere was able to extend into Pandas territory, the visitors’ formidable back line sealed the door shut. Padua keeper Katie Szczerba was called on to make just one save.

Padua took the opening tip and in the first minute worked the ball into the box to the team’s leading scorer, Emilia Ryjewski. Her low liner trickled wide, however, after an incredible diving stop by Giakas. They maintained pressure, and it paid off in the fourth when Breanna Niggebrugge sent a cross toward Detwiler. She danced around an Auks defender and sent one low and to the left for the quick 1-0 lead.
After more heroics from Giakas and a shot off the post, the Pandas struck again in the 12^th. This time, Lindsay Machamer tested Giakas, who made the save, but the ball bounced out directly to Detwiler, who had all net in front of her. Brentlinger got on the board next, sending a left-footed shot off a spin move into the net in the 25^th minute. The sequence started with Ryjewski taking a short pass on a corner kick from Anne Brush, who ended up with the assist.

Freshman Erin Apostolico entered the contest midway through the first half and experienced a special moment with her first high school goal just three minutes later. She was able to chase down a long pass, spin away from a defender and put a left-footed shot to the near side to make it 4-0. Brentlinger found Ryjewski with a long pass toward the end of the first half, and Ryjewski deposited her 15^th goal on the season high into the net. Padua added one more goal in the second half, as Brentlinger scored her second in the 47^th minute, with Detwiler picking up the assist.
The Pandas (8-2-1) finished with 15 shots, and goalkeepers Katie Szczerba and Bridget Cahir teamed up for the shutout. Next up for them is a trip to Lewes on Thursday to battle Cape Henlopen in a 6 p.m. start.
Giakas was rock-solid for the Auks, getting credit for nine saves. Archmere (7-3-1) will stay at home on Thursday, welcoming Ursuline for a 3:45 p.m. match.