Playing to a packed crowd at Sussex Academy, the Seahawks and the Golden Knights of Sussex Central put on a show at the host’s Homecoming game. When the final whistle blew, Sussex Academy defended its turf for a 2-0 win.

The Seahawks are a team that usually possesses the ball and wreaks havoc on foes less than comfortable with the ball at their feet. Sussex Central, however, boasts a team filled with players perfectly cozy carrying and dribbling against pressure.

“We have a game plan of how we want to attack and how we want to absorb some of the pressure,” said Sussex Academy coach R.J. Dina. “You can see everything on film, and sometimes they come out in something different, so there is value in allowing a team to just dictate a bit of the ball and see how they're going to play.”

Dina added his team handled themselves well out of possession, crediting the players’ versatility and in-game learning.

“We knew they were gonna be a tough matchup,” said senior George Sapna. “They're all individually gifted in their own way, and we just sat in a little bit, let them play the game, took advantage of our chances and let the crowd dictate our energy.”

A student section filled with construction apparel, war paint, confetti blasters and a bullhorn let their neighbors down the street know they had no sugar for them to borrow for the next 80-plus minutes. Sussex Central filled out its area to capacity as well, but the Seahawks are used to playing in heightened conditions. 

About 22 minutes into the contest, Sussex Academy fans, who were already going nuts, had a real reason to party when junior Carson Klahr heeded his captain’s advice. 

“Right before they played it, I told Carson, ‘You go back post, I'll go front post and head it across,’” Sapna said. “That's what we did.”

“It was a great ball headed across the box,” Dina said. “We talk about those things all the time. A great tap-in from George, who has always been in the right spot this season.”

Sapna was in the right spot again 40 minutes later when the soccer IQ of the Seahawks became center attention, as Bodhi Williams used a quick restart to help double the lead.

“Bodhi is very smart for that,” Sapna said. “We locked eyes and we both knew what we're going to do. We saw the ref didn't call time, so we took advantage of it.” 

Williams' fast play to Sapna led to Sapna’s 13th goal of the season in the 63rd minute.

“Every year, we harp on quick resets, quick throws … that's something we talk about every day,” Dina said. “They finally capitalized.”

Senior goalkeeper Austin Taylor continued to dominate on corners and free kicks, like he had all game.

“I’ve watched a lot of film and recognized that these guys aren't really much of a challenge in the box on set pieces and corners, so I knew I had to control the box,” Taylor said. “I have to be big and come off my line a little bit more, and that’s what my mindset was.”

Securing the Seahawks’ sixth clean sheet of the year made the postgame festivities that much sweeter for Taylor, his teammates and the school’s Homecoming.

“This is the game we all look forward to,” Taylor said. “I feel like I play a lot better under pressure, and that contributed to a little bit of my performance tonight.”

“The kids are invested,” Dina said. “They've been talking about this game all week.”