Royals field hockey comeback falls short against Sussex Central

Delmarva Christian ties game after being down two, but Ludwig finds winner

Sussex Central sophomore Emmalise Ludwig, left, celebrates her game-winning goal with freshman Marissa Milligan in the Golden Knights' 3-2 win over Delmarva Christian Sept. 21. AARON R. MUSHRUSH PHOTOS

Delmarva Christian sophomore Olivia Balback rolls the ball back.

Royals freshman Rocsi Cannon centers the ball.

Delmarva Christian sophomore Anaiah Mulhern carries the ball.

Royals freshman Rocsi Cannon heads toward the goal.

Delmarva Christian junior Braelyn Hellens prepares to take a corner.

Royals sophomore Addison Price fires a shot on goal.

Delmarva Christian sophomore Anaiah Mulhren threatens in close.

Royals sophomore Olivia Balback prepares to play the ball.

Delmarva Christian sophomore Anaiah Mulhern runs onto the ball.

Sussex Central sophomore Ashlyn Troxler tries to navigate some Royals.

Golden Knights junior Emma Jackson looks for options.

Sussex Central sophomore Ashlyn Troxler receives an insert.

Golden Knights junior Kate Donaway races toward the ball.

Delmarva Christian junior Calista Davenport gets low to stop the carry of Kate Donaway.

Royals junior Braelyn Hellens inserts the ball.

Delmarva Christian sophomore Olivia Balback carries the ball into the final third.

Sussex Central senior Elizabeth Hicks boots the ball out of bounds.

Sussex Central helps Emmalise Ludwig, center, up after she scored the game-winner.

Royals junior Braelyn Hellens controls the ball.

Delmarva Christian sophomore Olivia Balback takes a shot.

Royals sophomore Addison Price prepares to shoot.

Delmarva Christian sophomore Olivia Balback scored on an untimed corner to end the third quarter.

Royals sophomore Olivia Balback is congratulated by freshman Rocsi Cannon after the former scored.

Delmarva Christian sophomore Olivia Balback cranks up a shot.

Royals freshman Rocsi Cannon ties up the game.

A pair of sevens, Delmarva Christian's Anaiah Mulhern and Sussex Central's Erin McIntosh, fight for the ball.

Sussex Central freshman Marissa Milligan celebrates with her senior goalie Elizabeth Hicks.

Aaron R. Mushrush

September 24, 2026

Event Date:

Tue, 09/22/2026 - 02:42 pm

Delmarva Christian sophomore Olivia Balback rolls the ball back.

Royals freshman Rocsi Cannon centers the ball.

Delmarva Christian sophomore Anaiah Mulhern carries the ball.

Royals freshman Rocsi Cannon heads toward the goal.

Delmarva Christian junior Braelyn Hellens prepares to take a corner.

Royals sophomore Addison Price fires a shot on goal.

Delmarva Christian sophomore Anaiah Mulhren threatens in close.

Royals sophomore Olivia Balback prepares to play the ball.

Delmarva Christian sophomore Anaiah Mulhern runs onto the ball.

Sussex Central sophomore Ashlyn Troxler tries to navigate some Royals.

Golden Knights junior Emma Jackson looks for options.

Sussex Central sophomore Ashlyn Troxler receives an insert.

Golden Knights junior Kate Donaway races toward the ball.

Delmarva Christian junior Calista Davenport gets low to stop the carry of Kate Donaway.

Royals junior Braelyn Hellens inserts the ball.

Delmarva Christian sophomore Olivia Balback carries the ball into the final third.

Sussex Central senior Elizabeth Hicks boots the ball out of bounds.

Sussex Central helps Emmalise Ludwig, center, up after she scored the game-winner.

Royals junior Braelyn Hellens controls the ball.

Delmarva Christian sophomore Olivia Balback takes a shot.

Royals sophomore Addison Price prepares to shoot.

Delmarva Christian sophomore Olivia Balback scored on an untimed corner to end the third quarter.

Royals sophomore Olivia Balback is congratulated by freshman Rocsi Cannon after the former scored.

Delmarva Christian sophomore Olivia Balback cranks up a shot.

Royals freshman Rocsi Cannon ties up the game.

A pair of sevens, Delmarva Christian's Anaiah Mulhern and Sussex Central's Erin McIntosh, fight for the ball.

Sussex Central freshman Marissa Milligan celebrates with her senior goalie Elizabeth Hicks.

Summer’s last stand included an epic field hockey battle on a misty field Sept. 21 in Georgetown, won by host Sussex Central 3-2 over visiting Delmarva Christian.

The teams were scoreless up until about five-and-a-half minutes left in the second quarter when freshman Marissa Milligan’s unassisted tally put the hosts up 1-0. Despite possessing in their offensive half for much of the first half, including the last few minutes, Delmarva Christian could not find an equalizer.

A back-and-forth defensive battle ensued to start the third quarter but the scoreboard was changed again when sophomore Emmalise Ludwig smacked the back panel with her first goal of the year. On an untimed corner, Delmarva Christian sophomore Olivia Balback sliced the Golden Knights' lead in half, setting the stage for a 2-1 start to the final 15 minutes.

Sophomore Anaiah Mulhern connected with freshman Rocsi Cannon halfway through the fourth quarter to tie the game. Even though the squads were tied, it seemed the Royals had momentum and the upper hand, earning 14 corners throughout the game compared to Sussex Central’s three. However, the hosts were playing a full-field game and finished the game even in shots at nine apiece. The final shot came off the stick of Ludwig when the sophomore raced toward goal, began slipping in the wet conditions, but managed to get off a shot that whacked every mole en route to the far corner of the cage.

Delmarva Christian had a few last gasps, but Sussex Central held on tight for the 3-2 victory. Royals freshman Carsyn Riddle registered 12 saves in the contest while Sussex Central senior Elizabeth Hicks stopped seven shots.