Quirky goal leads Ravens to 1-0 win over Cape
The rain stopped just in time for Cape's Senior Night girls' soccer match against rival Sussex Tech May 7 at Champions Stadium, but a slippery ball was the deciding factor in the Ravens' 1-0 win.
Just three minutes into the contest, Sussex Tech junior midfielder Samantha Hudson lofted a shot on goal from well outside the 18-yard box that slipped through the hands of Cape freshman goalkeeper Olivia Baratto, off the left post and into the goal.
"With wind and rain, those swirling shots, they're hard for a keeper," said Sussex Tech coach Carlos Villa. "You teach them to shoot. You never know what's going to happen when you put it on frame."
Cape coach Bob Dieterle said Baratto has played well all season long, and gives credit to Hudson for taking the shot.
"I don't know if when she hit it she thought it would go in," he said. "That's why you take it and see what happens, especially when the field is slick and the ball gets wet."
Barrato said the goal woke her up, and she went on to make a key save on a penalty kick with about 6 minutes left in the first half, pushing a shot by the Ravens' Michelle Laz over the crossbar. Then in the second half, Barrato made another big diving save to keep her team within one goal. She finished the game with eight saves.
"We didn't quit. We kept pressing," Dieterle said. "We were trying to get a couple balls through. We made a couple good runs, but just didn't get anything to drop in."
Sussex Tech dominated possession, but the Vikings had a few scoring chances they were unable to capitalize on. Shots favored the Ravens 10-2. The Ravens have only allowed four goals all season, including three in a loss to Polytech. They've shut out opponents in all but one of their 10 wins.
Tech improved to 10-1 this season and faced its biggest test of the season Thursday, May 9 against 11-0 Caesar Rodney.
Cape's record dropped to 8-4-1. The Vikings will travel to 9-2 Polytech Tuesday, May 14, before completing the season at Caesar Rodney Thursday, May 16.
