Cape field hockey sticks to script, shuts out IR 3-0

Cape field hockey held off an athletic Indian River team 3-0 Oct. 9 at Champions Stadium.

Anna Harrington and Alia Marshall scored goals in the final 10 minutes to turn a dangerously close game into another shutout victory.

Cami Smith scored the first goal of the game off an assist from Amanda Sponaugle, who also assisted on Marshall’s goal.

The Vikings ripped 19 shots in the shutout win to go 7-1 on the season. In five of those shutouts, the opponent did not manage a shot on goal. Cape has not allowed a shot in the last three victories over Indian River, Lake Forest and Sussex Central, while the Vikings put 70 shots on goal.

“Stops and starts, fast and slow, too many corners without scoring. You have got to turn up the dial and keep it there the entire game,” coach Kate Austin told her team after the win over Indian River. “A win is a win, and we’ll take one anyway we can get one, but you are playing for a state championship every time you take the field. You have to keep the intensity going the entire game.”

Indian River goalie Allyson Clark was credited with nine saves in the game.

Cape’s starting backline defenders Anna Stancofski, Darby Klopp, Reagan Ciabattoni and Marcella Sabbagh share in all shutouts, especially the five no-shot victories.

Indian River came into Cape off a 12-1 loss to Delmar; they are the only team this season to score on the Wildcats. The Indians of coach Jodi Stone are now 6-3 on the season.

Cape was scheduled to play at Polytech Thursday, Oct. 11, but a rainout seemed likely.

Cape won the JV game 6-0 to go 4-0-3 on the season. Goals were scored by Sydney Jefferson, Kelly Bragg, Casey Schnupp, Alex Best, Sommer Dorman and Yanerya Andrade. Schnupp and Marisa Conte had assists.

Caylee Schmidt had 18 saves for the Indians. Laci Dixon got the shutout win for Cape.