Beacon hockey beats Selbyville 1-0 in battle of unbeatens

The Beacon bus for field hockey broke down before it picked up the team in Lewes as social media sent out the update “parents can arrive late; the Selbyville game won’t start on time."

The game started under low light in front of a big crowd with high expectations as both teams were defending undefeated records.

Beacon is expected to be there, but Selbyville is an upstart; not in Beacon's class. But at halftime the game was scoreless, with both sides having chances. Beacon led in corners that don’t count, while the Indians seemed to get most of the calls from Buster, the lonesome solitary referee.

Early is the second half, Beacon's Melanie McCloy, a defender up for the corner attempt, found herself over the loose ball and rattled the back of the cage for the score.

"It's my first goal of the season," McCloy said. 'I'm more of a defensive player."

The 1-0 score held up for a final, with many anxious moments at each end.

“I knew they were undefeated like us," said the always relaxed Patti Jo Mock, the only hockey coach Beacon has ever had. And with her wry sense of humor added, ”If someone had to lose, I’m glad it wasn’t me.”

Beacon improved to 10-0 on the season and has one game remaining against Mariner.

Notes: Much credit goes to the Selbyville program for taking a deeply talented and heavily favored Beacon team to the wire. A solid Indian River program would be good for the sport and the conference.