The News Journal
5/31/00
A.I. still going strong in run for fifth title
by Ed Murphy - Staff Reporter
Alexis I. duPont High lost Beth Belanger, the 1999 state girls soccer player of the because of a broken leg five weeks ago.
The Tigers, however, have shown no signs of relinquishing their four-year grip on the state championship.
Top-seeded A.I. duPont (17-1) has produced an 11-1 record without Belanger, reeling off seven consecutive wins to reach tonight's 7:30 semifinal of the Delaware High School Girls Soccer Tournament against Nol 5 Tatnall (14-1-3) at Newark High.
The other semifinal matches No. 3 Newark (16-2) and No. 2 St. Mark's (17-1) at 5:30.
"We were concerned when we lost Beth, but all the players have been fabulous," A.I. first-year coach Shibaji Chakrabortry said. "We had to move some people around. Everybody has played very well."
A.I.'s only loss was 5-0 to Ephrata (Pa.) May 6. But the Tigers appear to be on track fro a fifth title in a row, scoring 114 goals this season.
Belanger, who had 18 goals in six games, was hurt in a collision with Newark goalie Alexis Bastien in A.I.'s 4-0 win April 19.
Halfback Jessica Natalie has scored 19 goals, striker-fullback Katie Mazzio has 17 goals and striker Kristin Goldrick has 16 goals and a team-high 19 assists.
A.I. defeated St. Mark's 3-2 early in the season and beat Newark 4-0. The Tigers haven't played Tatnall this season.
"We're playing with a lot of confidence," Chakraborty said. "I'm not surprised to see Tatnall in the semifinals. They have quality players and the coach has done a good job.
"If we are successful and reach the finals, I look for an even game against Newark or St. Mark's. Newark is unpredictable. They can go all the way."
St. Mark's defeated Newark 3-0 at home two weeks ago.
Katie Knorr sent Tatnall to the semifinals for the third straight season by scoring the winning goal against Caeser Rodney four minutes into the third overtime.
All-American forward Ashley Dilworth leads St. Mark's. The Spartans have lost to A.I. the past two years in the semifinals.