Cape and Tech soccer battle to scoreless tie
It was a typical Cape versus Sussex Tech soccer game Sept. 26 in Georgetown. It was a classic battle with no winner, but no loser, as the two teams left everything on the field in a double-overtime 0-0 tie.
“There is a lot of mutual respect between our players and their players,” said Cape coach Patrick Kilby. “There are a lot of club players on both sides that have grown up together. [Tech coach Carlos Villia] and I joke every year when we play, we know that we have to pencil in overtime as we know it’s going to be a battle. We know them just as well as they know us, which makes for a spirited, physical and emotional battle every year.”
“This is a special rivalry that both teams look forward to playing each year,” Villa said. “Maintaining your composure through the emotional highs and lows of this type of match was challenging, but in the end it’s a great experience.”
Each team had their chances in the knock-down, drag-out clash of the four-win Northern Division teams.
Sussex Tech had a 14-9 shot advantage in the contest.
Vikings senior keeper Alan Marin-Quiroz made 10 stops, while Tech goalie Jodi Johnson had seven saves.
“When you play a team that has a player like Patrick Short, who can win the game or take the game over at any moment, having a goalkeeper like Alan, who can neutralize that threat, is something very special,” said Kilby. “All you need to do is look at the save he had on the one-on-one with Patrick. Once you see what Alan can do, you don’t take that for granted. Alan is starting to put together a very special season.”
“It all comes down to that inner push and desire to beat your opponent,” said Villa.
This will be Villa’s last game with Cape, barring a match-up in the DIAA tournament, as he is retiring from coaching the boys’ team at Tech. He will still be on the sideline of the girls’ program. Villa has served as the Ravens boys’ coach since 2000.
The Vikings will travel to Sussex Central Thursday, Oct. 3, and the Ravens will welcome the Laurel Bulldogs Tuesday, Oct. 1.
