Cape closes out Polytech 3-1, sets sights on state tournament

Cape’s Cam Smith went from hat trick to heavy metal in less than 24 hours last week, scoring three goals Nov. 2 in a 3-1 field hockey win over Polytech then returning to Champions Stadium Nov. 3 for Halloween hockey practice costumed up as a member of the rock band Kiss along with Talbot Buck, Chloe Schaffer and Alia Marshall.

Cape outshot the Panthers 35-1, with a 20-1 advantage in corners, to close the regular season with a record of 13-2. Polytech’s goaltender Holly Rembold had a career-best 29 saves to keep the game close. The Panthers were playing their third game in four days and finished the regular season at 10-5.

“The girls played hard this week and got a taste of turf versus Cape, which should help them if we meet again in the tournament,” said coach Lynn Richardson. “It’s just a faster game.”

Poly will open DIAA tournament play at home at 2:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 9, versus Appoquinimink. Cape will host St. Georges at 6 p.m. in an opposite quarterfinal matchup.

Dover will host Concord at 3 p.m. in a quarterfinal game, while Sussex Tech travels to Caravel for a 6:30 p.m. game to complete the Division I quarterfinal matchups.

The semifinals are slated for Tuesday, Nov. 14, at the University of Delaware’s Rullo Stadium.

Delmar is the top seed in Division II with Tower Hill maintaining the second spot. The semifinal round will be played Wednesday, Nov. 15, at Rullo Stadium.

A pair of state championship games will be played Saturday, Nov. 18, at Rullo Stadium.

Cape will host a joint practice/scrimmage with Delmar Tuesday, Nov. 7. It will be closed to the public.