Delmarva Christian boys’ soccer ends year with 4-1 win over Polytech

In their final game of the year, the Delmarva Christian soccer team put on a show for its seniors and family with a 4-1 win over Polytech Oct. 30 at the DE Turf Complex.

Senior Harrison Schlabach returned to the field for the second game in a row after missing nearly the entire season due to a knee injury. His impact on the game was immediate, and the Royals progressed along the sidelines better than they had all season. Schlabach garnered enough attention to allow sophomore Cam Smithson to get to work with his strong carry and playmaking ability.

Smithson found Jay Parrish through the air to open up the scoring for the Royals and put the Panthers on their heels. Fellow sophomore Blake Dale doubled Delmarva Christian’s lead after fighting through stabs in the box to put away the second goal. Unfortunately, Schlabach could not finish the game, but his energy was enough to spark confidence in the Royals.

A backline of seniors James Baxter, David Sagers and Josh Strawhecker held tight for most of the game, but Polytech managed a goal in the second half. 

Parrish, however, completed a hat trick with two tallies in the final 40 minutes to ensure the 4-1 victory. Parrish joined Smithson in the assist department with one, along with Joshua Strawhecker and Nicholas Gipko, making all four goals assisted.

The 4-1 victory in their season finale was the biggest point-differential win of the season for the Royals. 

Parrish led the team with 12 goals, and Dale finished second with seven. Parrish and Dale tied with Smithson for the team lead in assists with four.  Parrish had a team-high 28 points. Junior goalkeeper Isaiah McCluskey ended the year with 130 saves.