No team in Division II girls' soccer has allowed fewer goals per game than Sussex Academy after the Seahawks added their 11th clean sheet of the year with a 1-0 victory over Lake Forest May 11.

With a game in hand, Seahawks' 0.4 goals-per-game average is 0.1 below Saint Mark’s, with each program allowing just six goals all season. 

Some might argue the strong defense starts with keeper Ella Sprucebank, who has a habit of settling well above the 18-yard box when Sussex Academy is in control. She also knows when to come off her line to disrupt a scoring chance. The sophomore has made critical stops on shots on goal to keep opponents out of her net. For her, however, it starts with the two girls in front of her.

“I don't know their secret; I just know they're pretty good,” Sprucebank said. “I really don’t have to worry much because with Debora [Williams] and Melina [Stitcher], they always got me covered.” 

Sprucebank works with Williams and Stitcher to outlet the ball to fullbacks Jordy Blades and Bella Laupert-Visioli. May 11 was no different, and the demeanor of the backline and goalie helped keep Sussex Academy in control.

“I’m calm on the ball because last year both the coaches really forced me to be comfortable,” Sprucebank said. “They got my back, like my whole team has my back.”

While the Seahawks kept the Spartans out of their half of the field, the Sussex Academy offense lived in the Lake Forest box in both halves. Sophomore Sydney Walls had a monster game between the pipes for the Spartans, disrupting well-timed shots from distance and a few breakaways. The Seahawks were persistent and after coming close in the last half of the second half, they finally broke through with the clock stopped at 2:00.

Junior Maya Hastings came close on a couple of chances earlier in the game, but when she intercepted a goal kick just outside the 18-yard-box, she capitalized on her chance at redemption by striking the ball low and hard into the back of the net.

“Finally got one, so I think that made everybody happy because nobody wanted to go in overtime,” Hastings said. “It feels really good because I've only had two other goals this season, so I think that adding to that is really big for me.”

Although they could just get the one tally, Hastings thinks they can use the experience to keep threatening on the offensive end.

“If we just keep our heads and make sure that we're passing instead of just kicking it up the field – because a lot of teams like tend to kick and run – we're one of the better-structured teams where we can actually just put the ball down and play," she said. 

Sussex Academy will celebrate its seniors ahead of the season finale against Appoquinimink. The game is set to begin at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 13.