Home Local Sports Schepers nets all four for St. Mark’s in soccer triumph over St....

Schepers nets all four for St. Mark’s in soccer triumph over St. Elizabeth

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ALAPOCAS – Hannah Schepers scored four times, and the St. Mark’s defense put on a stellar performance, as the Spartans defeated St. Elizabeth, 4-0, on April 11 in girls soccer at Alapocas Run State Park. It was St. Mark’s first win of the season.

St. Mark’s Hannah Schepers (partially obscured) battles a St. Elizabeth defender moments before scoring her second goal of the game for St. Mark’s. (The Dialog/Mike Lang)

It didn’t take Schepers long to get the Spartans on the board. In the second minute, she stole a pass about 30 yards from the Vikings’ goal. Schepers deked her way around a defender and went in on goal all alone, and St. Elizabeth keeper Kylee Bowen had no chance as the ball went high to the left side.

Bowen kept the score 1-0 by stoning Schepers from point-blank range a few minutes later, but Schepers struck again in the eighth. This time, the Spartans played the ball into the crease, and after a brief scramble, she rolled it just over the line. Erin Gebhardt got credit for the assist.

After playing on the defensive for the first 10 minutes or so, the Vikings found some offensive footing. St. Elizabeth kept the ball in their offensive zone for several minutes, but they were unable to anything on Spartans goalkeeper DD Shepherd.

Schepers completed the natural hat trick in the 32nd minute. She lined up a free kick from approximately 35 yards out and sent the ball where it could not be reached into the upper 90.

St. Mark’s Erin Gebhardt dribbles upfield. (The Dialog/Mike Lang)

Her final tally came in the 42nd minute off a corner kick. The Vikings came close on consecutive corner kicks midway through the half, but the ball hit the outside of the post on the first, and Shepherd came up with the save on the second.

The Spartans (1-2) outshot the Vikings, 17-4, and had seven corner kicks to four for St. Elizabeth. Shepherd notched four saves. St. Mark’s is home on Friday to face Archmere at 3:45 p.m.

Bowen and Rita Offutt combined for 11 saves for the Vikings, who are also 1-2. They also play Archmere in their next game, which is Monday at 3:45 p.m.

Players from both teams watch this St. Mark’s attempt fly just a bit high. (The Dialog/Mike Lang)