By Andy Walter

CAMDEN — Dwayne Lavender still believes in his team.

The Caesar Rodney girls’ soccer coach still sees the potential for the Riders to be more competitive with Padua.

But CR will have to wait for another day to actually beat the Pandas again.

Third-seeded Padua netted three first-half goals and that was too much for the No. 2 Riders in the Pandas’ 3-1 victory in the DIAA Division I semifinals on Wednesday night.

Padua (12-4) will play in its 10th straight state final when it takes on top-seeded Middletown (17-0) on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Delaware State’s Alumni Stadium. The Cavaliers blanked Wilmington Charter, 7-0, in the other semifinal.

In the Division II championship game, St. Mark’s will take on Caravel at 5:30 p.m.

On Wednesday, the Pandas netted three goals in the first 35 minutes to take control. They also beat CR, 3-1, during the regular season.

“It took us a while to figure out that we could play with them — even though we knew we could,” said Lavender. “I don’t know, we just kind of had to settle into the game. Unfortunately, it was 3-0 and then we decided we could play.

“But that’s a great team all over the field. They don’t have many deficiencies. My girls dug and fought and scrapped. We said if we were going to go out, we were going to leave it on the field. And I really think they left it on the field.”

Three different players accounted for Padua’s goals: Madison Moiser, Anna Poehlmann and Haley Dougherty. Lavender said a couple of the goals came on great shots.

The Pandas finished with advantages of 12-8 in shots and 5-1 in corner kicks. CR goalie Kylee Elliott made eight saves.

“They had two great shots in the first half that nobody’s saving,” said Lavender.
“It’s such an uphill battle when you’re down three,” he said. “You want to score first on a team like this or maybe be 0-0 at half.”

CR’s lone goal came from senior Elle Davis, who scored with 29:43 left in the contest. But the Riders never got any closer.

The Riders finish the season with a record of 13-4. It’s the ninth time since 2012 that CR’s season has ended with a loss to Padua.

“The way they finished that second half, I’m proud of this group,” said Lavender. “We did more than we did last year. Obviously, we wanted to be in the state finals but I thought we had a great season.”

Sports editor Andy Walter can be reached at 741-8227 or walter@iniusa.org.
Follow on Twitter at @DSNSports.