Sussex Academy field hockey dispatches IR 7-2 on Senior Night

All that stands between the Sussex Academy field hockey team and history is Lake Forest after the Seahawks celebrated their senior trio with a 7-2 win over Indian River Oct. 16.

“It was definitely an intense game,” said senior Kacie Rawlings. “At first, we started off a little slow, a little rocky, but we definitely pulled ourselves together in that first quarter, and I think the intensity just got a lot better.” 

Rawlings was joined by fellow seniors Shea Danahy and Ryan Lowe in walking across the field with their families prior to the rivalry game. Despite the energy shift, the girls relied on what got them in position to win the first Henlopen South title in program history.

“We always have our rituals of going to the locker room and getting hype and listening to music, coming out here with high intensity, even though it's a slow start with all the walking down and everything,” Danahy said. “I think it's nice to recognize everybody, but going into our warmups and still being hype is what gave us the win today.”

“Emotions were high at the beginning, but we were all playing for each other,” Rawlings said.

Following a scoreless first, Sussex Academy continued to pressure an IR backline that seemed to sniff out every chance. Captain Ryan Lowe blasted the first goal four minutes into the second quarter.

“We were looking forward to this game; we knew it was going to be a great competition,” Lowe said. “IR is always a scrappy ... a great team to play.”

Danahy was rewarded for her work on offense and in press before the half ended, doubling the Seahawks’ lead.

“Everyone wants to score on their Senior Night,” Danahy said. “I just love doing it with my family, friends and everyone around me.”

Sussex Academy kept the momentum going in the second half, striking thrice in the third frame. Junior Bailey Mears picked up a brace in the quarter, while Lowe notched her second tally.

“Our girls did a great job of keeping possession the entire game, stepping to all the balls, being there for everything, stepping up from the defense, and on those corners offensively, getting our sticks down and being there for the tip-in,” said coach Caitlyn Hardy.

Baylie Williamson got the visitors on the board with just under 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter, and her classmate, Makenzie Truitt, added another before Sussex Academy freshman Mady Lehman closed the game out with two goals.

With the 7-2 victory, Sussex Academy only needs to beat Lake Forest Oct. 21, to clinch the program’s first Henlopen South title.