Cape field hockey program begins quest to be the best for 2025 season
The Cape field hockey squad held its first play day Aug. 16, with the Vikings playing four 25-minute running clock games and one seven-on-seven tilt to close out the day.
The scoreboards were not lit, as teams have been together less than a week, just working different lineups and configurations.
There were 16 varsity teams, with 10 representing the Delaware side of Delmarva, and the other six from Maryland and Virginia.
Coach Kate Austin, reflecting on the first-week practice and play day, said, “The play day was a great opportunity for us to try out a lot of variations with potential lineups, and see what options can help us have a successful season. The coaching staff was really pleased with our overall team speed and the versatility we have to maintain a strong lineup when subbing. We were effective in our attacking circle at creating scoring opportunities and should be able to put a lot of pressure on teams when we lose possession. Playing against other teams and seeing different formations highlighted room for growth with our urgency and organization on both sides of the ball.”
The Vikings’ next scrimmage play day is set for 1 p.m., Friday, Aug. 22, at Cape High. There will be nine teams using all four fields.
Notes: The sideline storylines at the scrimmages centered mostly on depth and how many Delaware-side squads are going to field full JV teams. Cape graduated just two seniors, Macy Steinwedel and Lina Frederick. Sussex Academy, under the guidance of coach Caitlyn Hardy, will host a play day Saturday, Aug. 23, beginning at 8 a.m. The Seahawks were 12-2 last season, losing 3-2 to Delmar in the DII quarterfinals. Delmar is under new leadership after the retirement of Jodi Hollamon. Stephanie Massey and Peyton Kemp are sharing the head coach position. The Wildcats graduated seven seniors, including Player of the Year Jordan Hollamon.
