Dialog reporter
WILMINGTON — Chris Ludman’s header in the closing seconds of the first half was all the offense St. Mark’s needed in a 2-0 soccer win over St. Elizabeth Thursday afternoon at Alapocas Run State Park.
The junior took a corner kick from classmate Michael Ziomek and knocked it over Vikings goalkeeper Brian Marchioni. The goal stood up, although junior Michael Scalia added an insurance tally in the 66th minute on a breakaway.
St. Mark’s (5-2) narrowly missed a goal earlier in the first half on a throw-in by Ludman. The ball rolled through the six-foot box untouched until Marchioni was able to chase it down and end the threat.
The Vikings (5-4) had several opportunities in the first half but were unable to beat Spartans keeper Thomas Gibb. Early on, he made a diving stop on a shot by Nicholas Moffitt, and he added another when Joshua O’Donnell broke through on a one-on-three rush. Marchioni denied Scalia midway through the half with a right-arm save.
St. Elizabeth outshot the Spartans, 12-9. Gibb was credited with 10 saves, while Marchioni had six. St. Mark’s is back on the pitch Saturday at 12:30 at home, hosting Newark Charter, while the Vikings returns to Alapocas Run next Tuesday to host Archmere at 3:45 p.m.
