Frantic fourth in Felton leads to Seahawks’ first Henlopen South loss

A 3-2 loss to Lake Forest Oct. 21 dashed the Sussex Academy field hockey team’s hopes for an undefeated record in the Henlopen South, leaving the Seahawks at the mercy of a tiebreaker.

The Spartans used the energy of Senior Night to get on board less than five minutes into the first quarter. Junior Ashley Robbins lit the lamp for Lake after Sussex Academy senior Kacie Rawlings made back-to-back-to-back saves on a penalty corner.

Over 44 minutes of time passed before Seahawks senior Ryan Lowe cleared herself for a tomahawk shot that sliced through the air and rattled the cage to tie the game at 1-1.

Sussex Academy capitalized on their momentum and kept the pressure on the Spartans’ cage. Junior Bailey Mears took it upon herself to navigate choppy waters and blast the lead-changing tally into the goal to give the Seahawks a 2-1 lead with about nine minutes remaining.

Rawlings registered seven saves total. Her counterpart, Jessica Lewis, had eight, earning praise from Sussex Academy coach Caitlyn Hardy for disrupting the Seahawks’ chances. Each team had 10 shots, but the Seahawks' 13 corners nearly doubled Lake’s seven.

“What Lake did offensively, bunching, worked in their favor,” Hardy said. “We just couldn't get it up and around them. I think their stick skills have improved since the years that I've seen them, so that's great for them. But just for us, our usual transfers just weren't working today. I think we need to adjust some things in practice, especially if we're facing Lake in the tournament, but I'm proud of all the girls.”

A penalty stroke off the stick of Robbins knotted the game 2-2, giving the junior her second goal of the game. She then drove the nail in the coffin when she found Victorie Moritz on a corner with 3:31 left to play for the game-winner in the 3-2 game.

The Seahawks created another chance in the final 90 seconds, but could not find the equalizer. 

With the loss, Sussex Academy is now tied with Lake and Indian River for first place in the Henlopen South. Lake beat the Seahawks 3-2, but lost to IR 6-1. Sussex Academy toppled IR 7-2 and, despite the loss to the Spartans, leads the trio with a plus-four goal differential across the three games played between the teams.

IR’s match against Milford Oct. 23, after the Cape Gazette deadline, will determine the Henlopen South champion. An IR victory gives the title to Sussex Academy, while an IR loss would crown Lake Forest.