Flyers oust Panthers in shutout

By DREW STAMBAUGH

Expositor Sports Editor

MILLBURY - Lake held Delta in check and ended the Panthers season on Tuesday, earning a 3-0 Division II district semifinal victory at Lake High School.

The Flyer defense managed to keep the Panthers' speedy front line from getting behind them, negating one of Delta's primary scoring threats. Amelia Kern did manage a couple scoring chances but Lake kept her off the board.

Both teams were kept off the scoreboard in the first half. The Flyers controlled possession most of the half, but both squads had scoring opportunities.

Just two minutes into the game, Delta's Chelsea Underwood had a free kick sail just over the goal. Then at the midway point of the first, Kern got the ball behind the Flyer goalkeeper, but had it kicked safely away before it could cross the goal line.

At the 34 minute mark, Lake's Ashley Pettit had a scoring chance bounce off her but it was saved by Delta's Katie Lorenzen.

The Panthers had the final scoring chance of the half just before time expired. Kern fired a shot from just inside the box, but a falling down save kept the game scoreless at the break.

Following halftime, the teams switched sides and the wind that had been favoring Delta was now benefiting Lake. The Flyers took advantage as they scored all three of their goals from outside the goal box.

The first game just five minutes into the half when Drew Plummer fired a shot into the upper corner of the net for a 1-0 Flyer lead. After another near miss for Kern, Plummer fired a shot over the goal and a shot go off the cross bar in the span of five minutes.

Despite almost relentless pressure by the Flyers, the Panthers hung around, keeping the deficit at just one goal. But with about seven minutes remaining, Lake broke through to open up their lead.

Heather Cox scored on a free kick to make it 2-0. Then, five minutes later she added a another goal on a free kick near the corner for a the final tally in a 3-0 victory.

Lake will now play Genoa in the Division II district final on Saturday at Toledo Central Catholic High School.