For The Dialog
WILMINGTON – Rivals met on the field hockey pitch Monday afternoon as Padua hosted Ursuline in a key early season matchup. Ursuline received great goaltending from Katherine Casey, but the Pandas’ attack prevailed in overtime in a 2-1 win.
Padua jumped out to a first-half lead on a goal by junior Abigail Budart, who converted a nice pass from Gabriela DelliCampagni. The Pandas had other opportunities, but Casey kept it a one-goal game.
Ursuline would get some scoring chances late in the half, and senior Lindsay Russell tied it up on a rebound after an initial save by Padua’s Danielle Clerval.
Neither team could find the net in the second half, sending the contest to a 10-minute sudden-death overtime. Just over a minute into the extra period, senior Shannon McGee streaked down the field and blasted one past Casey for the winner.
The Pandas outshot Ursuline, 15-5, improving to 2-0 for the season. They next play at Tatnall on Wednesday (1-2) at 3:45 p.m. The Raiders are now 2-2 and travel to the University of Delaware on Sunday, when they will meet Middletown (2-2) at 3:30 p.m.