Riders Battle But Fall In Title To Padua

The Caesar Rodney girls soccer team came to play Friday night when they took on Padua in the DIAA DI State Championship match, but came up short 4-1. Caitlin Harris netted the Riders only goal in the second half to pull her team with one, but CR was never able to get completely over the hump.

The Pandas would control the ball early on, moving it around and generating several good shots. But with every good look, came an even better save from Marianna Nuzzo. The junior came up with several incredible saves in the games first 20 minutes to keep the teams scoreless. But the Pandas would eventually break through. They would draw a direct kick from the 25 yard line, where Gabrielle Villermaux would buries it to the far post. Padua would continue to control the ball, but the back line of the Riders defense would hang tough lead by Jessie Prillaman. Then with under 5 minutes to go in the half, Mackenzie Scully would send a cross into the box where Megan Mallon would head it home.

Caesar Rodney was down 2 at the break, but came out fired up in the second half. Aleya Cummings would force a corner kick after a shot got deflected on a break away. The ball would work itself out to the 35 where Caitlin Harris would settle it, then fire a high arcing shot, which would work itself beautifully into the top left corner of the goal. The momentum swung and CR was the one attacking. They would create a couple more breakaways, but weren’t able to cap them off with a shot. While the Pandas looked rattled, they would settle in. Sarah Brush and Ashlee Berntlinger would both add scores in the games final 5 minutes as the Pandas would hold on for the win.