Dialog reporter
WILMINGTON – The Catholic Conference field hockey match between Padua and Ursuline that was scheduled for this past Sunday was washed out, but the two extra days off may have recharged the Pandas’ offense. Padua controlled the action throughout the game and scored a 3-0 victory Oct. 31 at Forbes Field.
The Pandas put the pressure on early, sending several shots wide of Ursuline keeper Cleo Troy. The Raiders seemed to gain some equilibrium after calling a timeout, but their offensive forays had trouble breaking through the Padua back line.
Padua’s offense returned, and after a few more chances, the home team got on the board. Ashlee Brentlinger found Kathleen Melia driving toward the cage. Melia’s shot was saved by Troy, but Melia was able to collect the rebound and deposit it with 9:03 remaining in the first half.
The offensive pressure was more intense for the Pandas in the second half. They appeared to score off a penalty corner early on, but the goal was disallowed. Not fazed, Padua earned six more penalty corners over the next several minutes, but the Raiders were able to keep the ball out.
Melia doubled her team’s lead with 18:20 left in the game. She dribbled the ball to the top of the scoring circle in front of Troy, and her shot through traffic found the cage.
Brentlinger added the final tally with 12:43 to go. She took the inbounds pass off another penalty corner and let one fly from the edge of the circle to the keeper’s left. The ball deflected off a Raiders stick in tight and went high over the keeper.
Padua had 17 shots to two for the Raiders, along with a 14-3 edge in shots. The Pandas improved to 12-1-1 and conclude the regular season Thursday at 4 p.m. at home against St. Thomas More.
Ursuline (9-5) will try to end its three-game losing streak on Wednesday at 3:45 p.m. when Wilmington Charter visits Serviam Field in the regular-season finale for both teams.
