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Beacon and Mariner soccer square off

Downer’s hat trick, Hassel’s two goals lead Beacon to victory
Beacon captain Elizabeth “E” Downer opens up the scoring in the tilt against Mariner May 8 by getting a ball past Jordan Willey, who nearly made the save. AARON MUSHRUSH PHOTOS
Aaron R. Mushrush
May 9, 2024

In the final Beacon and Mariner game that solely determines the Cape Henlopen School District title in girls’ soccer, Beacon came away with a 6-0 win in the A game and a 3-1 victory in the B game at Legends Stadium May 8.

“I thought we played really well; we definitely possessed the ball as a team,” said Beacon captain Elizabeth “E” Downer. “We worked well together and did our best. We definitely came out as hard as we should have.”

Downer scored the first goal of the game, which was quickly followed up by a goal from sixth-grader Sophia Connelly to double Beacon’s lead. 

Coming out of half with a 2-0 lead, Beacon picked up its attack on offense. Mariner goalie Jordan Willey made several outstanding saves as part of her 13-stop effort, but Beacon was relentless. 

Eighth-grader Lindsay Hassel opened up the floodgates on a pass from Downer, and made added another goal a few minutes later. As time ticked away, Downer blasted a shot into the net for her second goal just moments before another rocket found its way into the goal to give the captain a hat trick and make it a 6-0 final.

“It was a lot of fun,” Downer said. “I learned a lot from players, coaches and everybody that I played with.”

Prior to the full-length A game, the B teams took the field for one half of non-stop action. Mariner got on the board first on a goal from Georriyah Davis. Beacon stormed back to score three unanswered, two from Alexa Brown, to pick up a 3-1 win.

 

Mariner eighth-grader Stephanie Roblero-Perez was introduced and made her way through the tunnel of Cape’s varsity players and coaches.
Captain Kailey McMahon makes her way through the Beacon line beginning with Sophia Connelly and Emily Hilton.
Beacon eighth-grader Madison Handley starts the game with a ceremonial kick-off, invoking cheers from both sides of the Cape family.
Mariner captain Sophia Wakefield volleys the ball out of her defensive third.
Beacon eighth-grader Emily Hilton passes the ball toward midfield.
Mariner eighth-grader Jordan Willey came off her line to stop Beacon eighth-grader Elizabeth Downer.
Beacon sixth-grader Sophia Connelly scores the second goal of the game on a well-placed shot.
During halftime, the eighth-graders from both teams were honored. Shown from Mariner are (l-r) Anabella Garrido, captain Sadi Wakefield, Natalie Linton, Vanessa Cooper, Naveah Randall, Jordan Willey, Alyssa Deriancho, Georriyah Davis, Stephanie Robler-Perez, Evelyn Monteroso, and Alizzon Velasquez-Bravo.
The Beacon eighth-graders honored at half are (l-r) Madison Handley Lindsay Hassel, captain Kailey McMahon, captain Elizabeth Downer, Bridget Connelly, Delaney Huxtable, Ashlynn Panyko, Zoey Neaufeld, Noel Rowlands, Captain Claire Vondlindenberg, Alisa Tsirtsan, Alexa Brown, Isabella Murphy, Mycaela Riberio, Sydney Doran, Daniella Murphy and Kerry Olivia-Deleon.
Beacon eighth-grader Lindsay Hassel scores her first goal of the game from 10 yards out.
Mariner sixth-grader Madeline Hill approaches Beacon sixth-grader Emily Hilton.
Mariner keeper Jordan Willey makes one of her 13 saves in the game.
Beacon captain Kailey McMahon showcased a powerful leg on corners and long free kicks.
Beacon captain Elizabeth Downer passes to a streaking Lindsay Hassel.
Mariner eighth-grader Stephanie Roblero-Perez tries to close out but Beacon captain Elizabeth Downer gets off her shot in time for her second goal of the game
Beacon captain Elizabeth Downer secures a hat trick on this blast.
Mariner eighth-grader Georriyah Davis scored the first goal of the opening game played between the two B teams.
Beacon eighth-grader Noel Rowlands sends a ball packing during the B game.
Beacon captain Claire Vondlindenberg competes with Mariner sixth-grader Lorelei Schlegal.
Beacon eighth-grader Alexa Brown celebrates one of her two goals with a high-five from Brielle Ramjattasingh.
Mariner seventh-grader Sandra larussi controls the ball with Beacon defenders swarming in.
These girls gave it their all on the pitch May 8 and will be playing their high school games on the same field. Shown are (l-r) Lindsay Hassel, Elizabeth Downer and Kailey McMahon.

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Aaron Mushrush joined the sports team in Summer 2023 to help cover the emerging youth athletics scene in the Cape Region. After lettering in soccer and lacrosse at Sussex Tech, he played lacrosse at Division III Eastern University in St. David's, PA. Aaron coached lacrosse at Sussex Tech in 2009 and 2011. Post-collegiately, Mush played in the Eastern Shore Summer Lacrosse League for Blue Bird Tavern and Saltwater Lacrosse. He competed in several tournaments for the Shamrocks Lacrosse Club, which blossomed into the Maryland Lacrosse League (MDLL). Aaron interned at the Coastal Point before becoming assistant director at WMDT-TV 47 ABC in 2017 and eventually assignment editor in 2018. 

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