Tech soccer defeats Cape 2-1 in OT
You couldn’t have asked for a more intense and competitive soccer match this early in the 2017 season than the Cape versus Sussex Tech game April 13. The Ravens outlasted the Vikings 2-1 in double overtime, dropping Cape’s record to 4-4 on the season. The Ravens improved to 3-3-1.
Ravens midfielder Aliyah Browning, a former Mariner Middle player, started off the scoring at the eight-minute mark off an assist by Ella Marsh.
The Vikings got on the scoreboard at the 22-minute mark, when Cape’s Brooke Hollingsworth tied the game off a helper by Sydney Zych. It was Hollingsworth’s sixth score of the season and the fifth in the last three games.
The second half saw each team shut out, sending the game into overtime.
Kira Short took a pass from Kiara Whealton at the 95-minute mark and powered a shot past Cape goalkeeper Lucy Siranides to grab the second goal of the game and the one needed to secure the win for the Ravens.
“It was a typical Tech versus Cape battle,” said Sussex Tech head coach Carlos Villa. “It’s exciting. Sometimes we were going over the top too much, then we started to settle things down and put the ball on the ground. They were able to maintain their composure and get more of the play.”
Villa was quick to praise the play of the Vikings.
“They gave us a game, and they always do, and I like these kind of games because I told [my players] this is a tournament type of game,” he said. “That kind of atmosphere is fun to play in. Obviously, it’s better when you end up on the winning side, but it could have gone either way.”
Each team had numerous chances to win the game, but the shooters were denied by the play of the net minders.
Siranides stopped eight Tech shots, while Ravens keeper Valencia Whealton made 10 saves.
“It was a heck of a game,” said Cape coach Patrick Kilby. “Our girls showed up for it, more so this game than any other game of the season. And for them to battle the way they did and play at the level they did and to earn a loss in double overtime, it could be heartbreaking and it could be season ending, but not for this team. Not now. When they came off the field, they fought back tears, but you could tell there was determination to finish this season strong. They know that it’s not over, and I’m excited to see what the next seven games hold for us.”
The coaches showed mutual regard for their opposition’s leader.
“I have a lot of respect for Carlos and the job he does there,” said Kilby. “He’s built quite a program at Tech.”
“We respect each other,” said Villa. “I like Kilby, and we have a good time with it.”
The Ravens will host Sussex Central Tuesday, April 25, while Cape will host Sussex Central Thursday, April 27, at Champions Stadium.
