The Ursuline Raiders are not a roll over and play dead field hockey team. They came to Cape’s Champions Stadium Nov. 5 as a 16th seed to take on the No. 1 seed and two-time defending state champion Cape Vikings.
Energy on the field and noise from the bench were advantages to Ursuline early. A corner insertion pass in the first minutes of the game came to the stick of all-state player Laura Hurff, who rocketed a shot toward goalie Katie Kolobielski, who kicked it away.
Kolobielski and her defensive mates Sydney Smyk, Tiara Duffy and Lexi Woodruff were in the game and in the tournament. They all knew it was coming, time to defend turf in the quest for another championship.
“I’m a little nervous before the game, but once I get out there it's just playing on instinct,” Kolobielski said after the game.
The game was scoreless at halftime with Cape dominating field position but not getting off any good shots.
Then early in the second half, 40:13, it was “Cam off a Corner” as Bernheimer sent home a goal on an assist from Tiara Duffy for a 1-0 Cape lead. Allie Yeager followed with a goal at 42:40 on an assist from Erin Coverdale and secured the 2-0 victory.
“We’re telling them it’s like 'The Hunger Games,'” said coach Kate Windett. "Because if you slip up once, you’re out. We are just pounding into their heads that one ball could end your season. I know we need to start games stronger with more of a sense of urgency.”
Cape will play Wilmington Christian at 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 9, at Milford. Wilmington Christian defeated St. Georges 1-0 in its opening-round game. The other quarterfinal game in Cape’s bracket is Polytech, a 2-1 winner over Sussex Tech, versus Sanford, a 1-0 winner over Caravel, at 2 p.m. at Smyrna.
The bottom bracket has Tatnall playing Charter at 11 a.m. at Tower Hill and Delmar playing Wilmington Friends at Milford at 2 p.m.
The semifinal games are Tuesday, Nov. 12, with the state championship game Saturday, Nov. 16.