While the postseason picture is coming into focus, there are still a few weeks of regular-season action left that include lots of great matchups.
This week, the boys’ soccer schedule includes Salesianum’s return to in-state competition, and they will battle two teams with a combined record of 16-2-1. Saint Mark’s will test itself against one of Division II’s top teams. In football, all four Catholic schools have games worth watching, and it is possible to see all four in person.
Volleyball takes center stage for the girls. There are big battles all week, beginning on Tuesday, when all six Catholic school teams will be in action.
And in cross country, the biggest meet in terms of the number of teams takes place on Friday. The Joe O’Neill Invitational, which brings together all schools in the state regardless of division, moves to Killens Pond State Park while work on the track continues at its traditional home, Bellevue State Park.
Tickets are required for some events, and many need to be purchased in advance. Also, dates and times are always subject to change.
Boys
Soccer
Tuesday, Oct. 15
St. Elizabeth (0-9) at A.I. DuPont (1-9), 5:30 p.m.
Archmere (4-6-1) at Smyrna (3-6-1), 6:30 p.m.
Caesar Rodney (9-0-1) at Salesianum (4-4-1), 7:30 p.m. Salesianum welcomes the only unbeaten team left in Delaware to Abessinio Stadium. The Riders have six shutouts among their nine victories, and all but one win have been by more than one goal. The Sals are 3-0-1 in their last five games, with the loss coming to national powerhouse St. Benedict’s Prep (N.J.). This marks the beginning of a five-match stretch against Delaware opponents to close out the regular season for Salesianum.
Wednesday, Oct. 16
Glenelg at Ss. Peter and Paul (2-6), 4 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 17
St. Elizabeth at MOT Charter (1-8), 3:15 p.m.
Saint Mark’s (6-3) at Conrad (7-1-1), 3:45 p.m. Two teams with similar styles and postseason aspirations battle. Both the Spartans and the Red Wolves favor a hard-charging offensive approach that is fun to watch. The play of the goalkeepers might be the difference.
Salesianum at Appoquinimink (7-2), 6 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 19
Delaware Military (0-9) at Archmere, 11 a.m.
Cross country
Wednesday, Oct. 16
St. Vincent Pallotti and Jemicy at Ss. Peter and Paul, time TBA
Friday, Oct. 18
Archmere, Saint Mark’s, St. Elizabeth and Salesianum at Joe O’Neill Invitational, time TBA at Killens Pond State Park, Felton
Football
Thursday, Oct. 17
Christiana (4-2) vs. St. Elizabeth (2-4), 7 p.m. at Abessinio Stadium. Christiana is having its best season in years and is looking at a postseason berth if they can keep up the good play. St. Elizabeth won two straight at Abessinio Stadium before its recent two-game road trip. This battle of Vikings will have the spotlight as the state’s lone Thursday night game of the week.
Friday, Oct. 18
Appoquinimink (6-0) at Salesianum (5-1), 7:30 p.m. Perhaps the game of the season — thus far — takes place in what promises to be a jam-packed Abessinio Stadium. Appoquinimink has so many offensive weapons at its disposal, which will be a stiff test for the Sals’ defense. Both teams are undefeated in state; Salesianum’s lone loss came against Malvern Prep (Pa.). Tickets are on sale and are likely to disappear early.
Saturday, Oct. 19
Saint Mark’s vs. Hodgson, 11 a.m. at Caravel. The Spartans close out a rigorous four-game road swing with a visit to Hodgson’s temporary home, Caravel’s Bob Peoples Stadium. They hope to have some of their injured weapons return, and they’ll need their defense as well. Hodgson has not had trouble scoring points despite some recent struggles.
Tower Hill (4-2) at Archmere (5-1), 2 p.m. It’s homecoming in Claymont, and the Auks could use a win in a competitive race in Class 2A District 2. The Hillers have lose two straight, but they have lit up the scoreboard all season with their high-octane offense. Archmere has used its multi-pronged ground game with much success this year.
Girls
Volleyball
Monday, Oct. 14
Worcester Prep at Ss. Peter and Paul (2-6), 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 15
St. Elizabeth (2-8) at First State Military (1-8), 3:45 p.m.
Annapolis Area Christian at Ss. Peter and Paul, 4:30 p.m.
Padua (9-2) at Tower Hill (8-1), 5:15 p.m. Two of the top squads in Delaware get together in the fieldhouse at Tower Hill. Since getting all of their players back from injury, the Pandas have been extremely tough. Their defense will be tested against a powerful front line for the Hillers.
Ursuline (9-2) at Wilmington Charter (8-3), 6 p.m. A mile and a half from Tower Hill, two more state title hopefuls take to the court. Expect some fierce hitting from the Raiders and Force, along with the defense that will result from it. Three sets are not likely to be enough to determine a winner in this one.
Saint Mark’s (9-2) at Caravel (7-4), 6:15 p.m.
Archmere (6-5) at Newark Charter (8-2), 6:15 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 16
Christiana (5-7) at St. Elizabeth, 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 17
Padua at Garnet Valley (Pa.), 6:15 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 18
Paul VI (N.J.) at Ursuline, 6 p.m.
Saint Mark’s at Archmere, 6:15 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 19
Wilmington Friends (7-3) at St. Elizabeth, 2 p.m.
Field hockey
Monday, Oct. 14
William Penn (2-7-1) at Ursuline (4-5), 3:45 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 15
Dickinson (1-8) vs. St. Elizabeth (3-7), 3:30 p.m. at Chase Fieldhouse
MOT Charter (2-6) at Archmere (7-4), 3:45 p.m.
Saint Mark’s (9-2) at Wilmington Charter (10-2), 3:45 p.m. Saint Mark’s travels to Wilmington Charter for a test against one of the stronger teams in Division I. Alexa Guarneri leads the scoring for the Force, while Katie Hanich paces the Spartans.
Padua (3-8) at Tower Hill (6-4), 3:45 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 16
Ursuline at Wilmington Friends (8-1-1), 3:45 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 17
Woodbridge (5-4-1) at Saint Mark’s, 4 p.m.
Gunston at Ss. Peter and Paul (10-4), 4 p.m. ESIAC championship
Friday, Oct. 18
Ursuline at Wilmington Christian (6-4), 3:45 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 19
Delaware Military (3-7) at Archmere, 12:30 p.m.
Cross country
Friday, Oct. 18
Archmere, Padua, Saint Mark’s and Ursuline at Joe O’Neill Invitational, time TBA at Killens Pond State Park, Felton
