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Archmere advances to DIAA Division II field hockey semifinal with 3-1 win over Lake Forest: Photo gallery

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The Auks are jubliant after scoring an insurance goal late in their win over Lake Forest. Dialog photo/Jason Winchell

CLAYMONT — It took a quarter for the Archmere field hockey team to right the ship, but the second-seeded Auks found the offense they needed to take a 3-1 decision over No. 7 Lake Forest in a DIAA Division II field hockey quarterfinal on Nov. 13 in Claymont.

The Spartans put the pressure on the Auks from the get-go, earning two early penalty corners, one of which necessitated a save by Auks goalkeeper Ava Hughes. Archmere was not so fortunate on the third.

After the ball was inbounded on the corner, it was sitting in the scoring circle when Sierra Jester connected on a turnaround shot that whistled chest-high to Hughes’ left. There was 5:54 left in the first. The Auks had a chance later in the period, but a shot tipped by Maura Read was stopped by Spartans goalkeeper Addyson Stewart.

The Auks picked up their first corner opportunity a few minutes into the second, the result of a more sustained offensive effort that began after the first 15 minutes. That shot was wide, but Archmere continued to keep the heat on Lake Forest. The work paid off with 7:46 left in the half as Read grabbed the rebound of a save by Stewart and rolled it over the line for the equalizer.

Bella Dell’Oso nearly gave the Auks the lead 80 seconds into the second half, but Stewart again came up with a stop. Lake had three penalty corners in the third, but they were unable to break the tie, and Hughes came up with a save later in the quarter to keep it tied.

The Auks earned a penalty corner in the last minute of the third, and it worked like a charm. Dell’Oso inbounded the ball to Lindsey Renshaw, then headed to the corner of the net to Stewart’s right. Renshaw sent a pass back to Dell’Oso, who redirected the ball into the cage with just four seconds on the clock.

The Spartans nearly tied the score five minutes into the fourth, but an Auks defender made a stop, and the rebound was sent wide of the net. Stewart kept the Archmere lead at a single goal with a sprawling save with about seven minutes remaining.

It remained a one-goal margin into the final two minutes, but an insurance goal allowed the home team to breathe easier. Off a penalty corner, Renshaw fired a shot toward the net that was tipped in by Bella Hughes with 1:38 to go. Lake had one more opportunity to beat Ava Hughes, but the chance rolled wide.

Each team had eight shots on goal, and Lake Forest had a 7-5 advantage on penalty corners. Ava Hughes finished with seven saves. Archmere (13-3) moves on to the semifinals on Wednesday against No. 3 Newark Charter at 7 p.m. at DE Turf Sports Complex in Frederica.

The Auks defeated the Patriots on Oct. 26 in a game that needed overtime.

The Spartans’ season ended with a record of 11-6.

All photos by Jason Winchell.