Delmar goalie Marleigh Wells is the real deal. The junior is among Delaware’s best players.

Wells faced 26 shots, 18 penalty corners and even drew a penalty for taking down a Cape player during the Wildcats’ Sept. 23 field hockey game against Cape. But unrelenting pressure slowly put the Cats down, as Cape prevailed 6-0. 

The Vikings improved to 7-0, all wins by shutout, with a goal differential of 46-0. That sets up a showdown battle of unbeaten teams Thursday, Sept. 25, as 7-0 Smyrna visits Champions Stadium. 

Cape goals came from six different players – Avary Miller, Grace Heers, Ally Diehl, Makenzie Todd, Teagan Baker and Atia Sabbagh.

Assist leaders were Alysa McCarthy with two, and Mairead Rishko and Miller with one each.

Isabella Mekulski and Jordynn Bowe shared the shutout. 

Corner quips - Delmar, the defending Division II state champion, dropped to 1-4 on the season. The Wildcats have no JV program. Cape has 100 rostered field hockey players across varsity, JV and three middle schools. Delmar has 24 players listed on its middle school roster.

Cape versus Smyrna has emerged as the power matchup in Division I going back to 2021 when Cape beat Smyrna 4-0 in state finals. The Eagles beat the Vikings 2-1 in overtime in the 2022 final. Cape came back with a 1-0 win in the 2023 state championship game after losing to the Eagles at home 2-1. Last season, Cape won at Smyrna 2-1 in the regular season and defeated the Eagles in the state championship game by a 2-1 score.

Cape’s JV defeated Tower Hill Sept. 20 3-0 behind two goals from Ella Levy and a single goal from Kate Dowd. Alexis Puddicombe had the victory in goal. Emmilyn Swope and Natalie Arseneau had assists. The JV squad beat Stephen Decatur Sept. 22 3-2 on goals from Swope, Kate Dowd and Hazel Mancari. Alexis Puddicombe had three saves.