Seahawks soccer jumps on Lake 4-1
The Sussex Academy soccer team started slow, but powered to a 4-1 victory over Lake Forest Oct. 21 at the Seahawks’ home field.
The 7-4-2 Spartans got on the scoreboard first at the two-minute mark on a goal by Brayden Gerardi from Brayden Starkey. They went the next 78 minutes without a tally.
“We actually prepped and talked about starting fast getting out on the front foot today,” said Sussex Academy coach RJ Dina. “Recently, we’ve showcased a bit of a pattern of starting slow, but it hasn’t really hurt us until today.”
Three minutes later, senior George Sapna hit the twine off a pass from Ruendi Ortiz-Santos. At the 24-minute mark, Sapna scored his second off an assist from Carson Klahr.
Brandon Jaimes scored a goal at 38 minutes from Benjamin Steimel, and the teams went into the halftime break with the Seahawks holding a 3-1 lead.
Sapna completed the hat trick at 41 minutes off a pass from Bodhi Williams.
“The leadership and experience in this group shined today. Our two-year captain, Sapna, stepped up after going down 1-0, scored two to bring us back,” said Dina. “That takes tremendous character to lead from that front. The boys responded after conceding the way you expect them to. And from there, it was on. I’m hoping this sends a message to the boys with the games we have coming up – how important it will be to start fast, stay focused and pay attention to the details. It was a good result against a strong Lake squad. The strongest we’ve faced in my tenure. On to the next.”
The Seahawks held a 6-3 advantage in shots and an 8-3 edge in corners.
Austin Taylor made two saves for the Seahawks.
Dan has worked for the Cape Gazette for more than 30 years as a photographer and reporter, covering high school sports and happenings around eastern Sussex County. He won a photography award from the National Newspaper Association, and numerous awards from the Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association. A Delaware native, Dan graduated from Cape in 1972 and returned as a teacher and coach in the 1980s. He retired from the classroom in 2016. He was inducted into Cape High’s Legends Stadium in 2016. In his spare time, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons, grandchildren and dogs.
