For The Dialog
HOCKESSIN – Ursuline figured its best chance to upset top-ranked Padua in their soccer match May 10 was to stack the defense and keep the Pandas’ high-powered offense from scoring a lot of goals. The Raiders’ plan worked to an extent, but the Pandas still came away with a 2-0 win.
The Pandas controlled the ball the whole first half, keeping it in the offensive zone, but they did not get many quality chances. Mackenzie Scully had a shot on goal in the eighth minute, but Ursuline goalkeeper Alisha Lewis made a nice save. Lewis came up with another save in the 25th on a long shot by Megan Mallon. The game was scoreless at the half.
Padua wasted little time in the second, forcing a corner kick early on. Mallon scored off a feed from Molly Drach off a loose ball in the box to make it 1-0 in the 43rd minute. Lewis then came up with some beautiful saves to keep her team in it.
The Raiders could not mount a counter attack, and the Pandas put the game away in the 78th minute when Scully found Emilia Ryjewski, who gave Padua a 2-0 lead.
Padua (14-0), ranked sixth in the nation by USA Today, will face St. Mark’s in its regular-season finale next Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. at Baynard Stadium. The Raiders (5-5-2) host Lake Forest on Thursday at 3:45 p.m. as they fight to make the Division II state tournament.
