Cape holds Tower Hill shotless in 5-0 win
Cape hockey played at Tower Hill Sept. 25. The Hillers have won 17 state championships, with former Cape player Robin Adair owning 10 as head coach.
Cape’s Kate Windett Austin, who began her career as Adair’s assistant, has won eight state titles since 2012.
The last time Cape played at Richardson Field on Nov. 12, 2016, Tower Hill beat Cape in the quarterfinals of the state tournament 2-0 to end the Vikings’ streak of 100 straight wins against Delaware opponents.
Saturday’s game was about all that history. A Vikings team that coach Kate Austin described as “the most talented and deepest” she has coached in her decade at Cape was ready to rock and roll on the drop of the ball on the fastest field in Delaware.
Reagan Ciabattoni scored off an assist from Noelle Sabbagh at 13:03, and at 9:58, it was Ella Rishko from Sabbagh. It was 2-0 Cape five minutes into the game.
“Tower Hill is young and well coached. They were the best defensive team we have faced this early season,” Austin said. “Just internally for our own team, the game exposed some weaknesses we need to work on.”
Sabbagh scored at 6:12 of the second period on an assist from Lulu Rishko, making the halftime score 3-0.
Cape’s backline of Sam Connors, Grace Wiggins and Emma Duffield protected goalie Morgan Newcomb. The defense didn’t allow a shot on goal the entire game.
Second-half goals for Cape were Lulu Rishko from Sabbagh at 10:32 in the third period and Duffield with 8:58 left in the game on Sabbagh’s fourth assist.
Sabbagh tallied four assists and one goal in the game.
Cape had a 14-0 advantage in shots and a 20-0 edge on penalty corners.
Sophomore Therese Lucian had 10 saves for Tower Hill.
Cape plays at Indian River (0-2) Tuesday, Sept. 28, before hosting Smyrna Thursday, Sept. 30.
Notes: A full JV game of 12-minute quarters ended in a scoreless tie. Veronica D'Amico, former Cape goalie, is an assistant varsity coach at Tower Hill.
Cape’s JV is coached by Jenna Burkhart and Katie Collick.
