By Sapna Pathak
Staff Writer

Pembroke Academy's girls soccer team continued its winning ways with a first-round victory against Kennett in the 2005 Class I tournament.

No. 2 PA entered its tourney opener on Thursday, Oct. 27, with a 14-2 record, while its 15th-seeded visitors owned a 6-8-2 record mark.

The Spartans offense came out ready to attack, dominating the first half and spending the majority of time in Kennett territory. After 12 scoreless minutes to start the game, PA senior Kelly Thomas scored to give the Spartans a 1-0 lead.

"Sometimes it takes a while to get going," Thomas said. "But once we scored, I knew it would just take off from there. Everyone works as a team and we really go for it."

Thomas's goal jump-started the defense, which appeared to frustrate Kennett. As a result, another Spartans. scoring opportunity presented itself just three minutes later.

On a PA free kick, Emily Parker headed the ball past Kennett goalie Cozy Mitchell, putting Pembroke up, 2-0. PA's junior midfielder said the play's success didn't surprise her teammates.

"It kind of started as something we did one game, and it worked so well that we practiced it more and liked (using) it in more games," Parker said. "It just works out so well. We've all played together for so long that we just know (where to be on the field)."

The second half was a battle between Pembroke's offense and Kennett's defense. PA forward Alexa Robichaud kept her team near Kennett's goal with her quick bursts down the field and great ball handling.

Spartans goalkeeper Kathleen Moran came up with a huge save on a Kennett penalty kick to preserve the shutout.

"It was a big play," PA head coach Roy Annis said of Moran's save. "That could've tightened the game up, 2-1, but by her making that save, we were kind of back in control."

After watching his club dominate the first half, Annis said he noticed the Spartans started the second half.

Understanding he had to motivate his team, Annis said he told the players every soccer game has its ups and downs. The key, he said, is to survive the little let-downs.

The head coach's comments did the trick, as the Spartans received their second wind late in the match.

With four minutes left, PA midfielder Kaitlin Carroll slipped a shot past the opposing goalie, sealing the 3-0 victory.

"Our defense has carried us all year, so we knew coming in, once we could score, we could win," Annis said. "We didn't think they could score on us. The offense really stepped it up and played hard today to tire them out, too."

The 3-0 win marked PA's 12th shutout of the season.

"We're not a team of standout players," said Annis, whose club dropped a 2-1 overtime decision against No. 7 Hanover in the quarterfinals on Friday, Oct. 28. "We all come together and become a standout team ... The girls step up and play their hearts out when they have to."