Cape hockey beats Smyrna 4-0, fielding youngest team ever
Cape field hockey opened up the 2016 season at home Sept. 13, after a month of practice, shutting out a hard-playing Smyrna team 4-0. The Eagles had won their opening game 10-0 against fledgling program MOT Charter.
“I thought we played well all over the field once we got out of the middle and started moving the ball wide,” said coach Kate Austin. “Smyrna went into a defensive posture, and that’s what we’re going to see against a lot of teams. We just have to be patient and not force things.”
Sophomore midfielder Alia Marshall showed little patience for knick-knack hockey, ringing the bell from out front at 26:17 to give the Vikings a 1-0 lead.
Smyrna would later just miss their best scoring chance of the game, as a crossing shot got past goalie Lori Ferguson and just missed the far post.
Cape ran multiple forward lines at the Smyrna defense, pressuring goalie Elana Montejo, who finished with 17 saves in the game. Cape was awarded a penalty shot when a down-low defender blocked then knelt on a shot attempt. Annie Judge buried the stroke for a 2-0 Cape lead at halftime.
Cape’s starting lineup with Ferguson in goal included defenders Anna Stancofski, Jody Boyer and Korinne LeMaire; midfielders Jackie Cannon, Alia Marshal and Kaeli Truitt; and two forward lines of Katie Frederick, Mia Carulli and Chloe Schaeffer along with Marcella Sabbagh, Lindsay Monigle and Amanda Sponaugle. Korrinne Lemaire was the lone senior.
The Vikings scored two more goals in the second half. Annie Judge converted on a corner at 23:49 and Chloe Schaeffer scored at 3:14 for her first varsity goal.
Cape headed to Caesar Rodney for a Thursday game, before hosting Dover Tuesday, Sept. 20, and Severna Park Saturday, Sept. 24.
Notes - Delmar is off to a 3-0 start to the season, having outscored opponents 26-0. The Wildcats play at Cape Thursday, Sept. 29. Milford hockey is 2-0, having outscored opponents 12-1. The Polytech Panthers, hit hard by graduation, are 3-0 with an 18-4 scoring differential. Poly plays at Milford Tuesday, Sept. 20, a definite what’s up early season game.
