Dialog reporter
WILMINGTON – Karlee Panella scored three goals, all in the first half, and she added a second-half assist, to lead Padua to a 5-0 win over rival Ursuline in girls soccer Tuesday afternoon at Serviam Field. The Pandas, Delaware’s top-ranked team in Division I, stayed undefeated as they improved to 10-0. This was their second 5-0 win over Ursuline this season.
Padua put the pressure on the Raiders from the opening whistle, and it didn’t take long for Panella to open the scoring. The senior took a pass from sophomore Arryana Daniels in the seventh minute as she streaked down the left side and beat Raiders keeper Allie Olmstead.
The Pandas kept coming at Ursuline, but Olmstead turned away several scoring attempts to keep it 1-0. The Raiders also had some good fortune, as Panella beat Olmstead to a loose ball and got behind the goalkeeper. Her shot, however, skidded off the crossbar. Panella found the back of the net again in the 19th minute from nearly the same spot as the first goal. Mackenzie Scully picked up the assist on that goal.
Panella completed the natural hat trick as the half drew to a close. This time, Lindsay Machamer sent a pass from the keeper’s left into the box, where Panella took it and finished from 12 yards out.
Daniels and Scully added goals in the second half to complete the scoring. Panella garnered the assist on Daniels’ tally, while Machamer added her second helper on the final goal.
The Pandas finished the afternoon with 19 shots to Ursuline’s two. Abigail Boudart earned the shutout win; it was the sixth shutout for Padua in eight games against Delaware opponents. The Pandas face a stiff test their next time out as they travel to Caravel Saturday for a 6 p.m. start. Caravel is 7-1 and plays Newark Charter on Wednesday.
Olmstead had 14 saves for the Raiders. She is one of eight freshmen on the roster, which also features an eighth-grader. The loss snapped a two-game winning streak, and the Raiders will try to get back on the winning track Thursday at 3:45 p.m., when St. Elizabeth visits Serviam Field. The Raiders and Vikings opened the season against each other, with St. Elizabeth managing a 5-4 win.
