Cape blanks IR 3-0 for fifth shutout in a row

Vikings outscore opponents 27-0 during streak

Cape sophomore Avary Miller pulls the ball away from an IR defender during the 3-0 victory Oct. 13. AARON MUSHRUSH PHOTOS

Aaron R. Mushrush

October 14, 2023

Cape field hockey is on quite the roll dating back to the final day of September. The Vikings have shut out their last five opponents and outscored them 27-0 in that span. Three of those shutouts and 16 goals came the week ending Oct. 13, capped off by a 3-0 win over Indian River.

“It's definitely a tough week to play three games in a row, especially going back to back. That's tough on the body, and mentally that's tough to face different opponents,” said coach Kate Austin.

A 3-0 victory over local rival Sussex Academy to start the week was followed by a 10-0 win over Dover Oct. 12. Their Friday the 13th match against Indian River gave the Vikings more of a scare than Austin would have liked.

Sophomore Regan Best started Cape’s scoring early with a goal just over two-and-a-half minutes into the game, but that would prove to be the only goal in the first half.

“It's frustrating at halftime to be up 1-0. Their goalie made some incredible saves,” Austin said.

Cape generated an outstanding 30 corners and outshot IR 27-1 during the game. IR’s junior goalie Jazmin Mayfield seemingly stood on her head in the contest and dove all around the cage to stop one quality shot after another.

“You really just have to place your shots. I thought there were a lot of times we could have lifted the ball, because she was saving a lot of things that were on the ground. She was a very good goalie,” said Vikings sophomore Avary Miller.

As the third quarter was winding down, senior Addy Basile found fellow senior Lulu Rishko to double the lead. Senior Grace Wiggins blasted in a goal early in the fourth off a pass from senior Devon DeGregory to finish up the scoring for Cape.

With a successful week wrapped up and an impressive shutout streak continuing, the Vikings only have one opponent in the coming week – Delmar. The Wildcats have beaten Cape nine straight times going back to 2017.

Delmar will make the trip to Lewes Thursday, Oct. 19. The game is set to start at 6 p.m.

Cape freshman Atia Sabbagh cuts to the goal during one of the Vikings’ 30 corners in the game.

Cape senior Hannah Maney makes her way toward the IR goal in the second quarter.

Vikings junior Lina Frederick begins to clear the ball out of Cape’s defensive half.

Despite a relentless offensive assault from the Vikings, IR only surrendered three goals in the game, largely thanks to junior goalie Jazmin Mayfield’s 24 saves.