Sussex Academy girls’ soccer claims first conference title
For the first time in program history, the Sussex Academy girls’ soccer team won the Henlopen Conference Championship with a 3-0 victory over Polytech May 16.
“We lost 2-1 last year in a conference final, but last year when we went into that game, we had the mentality of trying – it was our first time being in a conference finals,” said senior Mimi Zahraoui. “Coaches were telling us to go in there and have fun, just enjoy ourselves because it's something new. But this year, we had already been there and we knew what it felt like to lose in a final like that. We weren't taking any disrespect.”
The Seahawks got on the board when sophomore Deb Williams played a through ball to a streaking Maya Hastings down the left flank at the 17-minute mark. The freshman sped past the Polytech backline, creating a one-on-one with keeper Marie Cadet. Cadet leaned slightly left and Hastings capitalized with a rocket to the near post.
Polytech’s young playmakers, Ava Gzym and Sierra Henry, tried to answer back but were stifled in the middle, unable to generate a look in front of the frame. Seahawks coach R.J. Dina gave kudos to the pair, but noted his team had a plan.
“It really is about just holding the space at which they want to play in and occupying that space,” he said.
As the backline held strong following the first goal and senior keeper Grace Fiorilla continued to come off her line to sniff out any leaks, Sussex Academy began generating looks on the frame once again. Gaining a free kick from roughly 30 yards out, the Seahawks looked to their fearless captain for what has become her specialty. Cate Brown lined up the shot and buried a long-distance crank into the net to double the Seahawks’ lead 2-0.
“That's a kid that we're gonna miss tremendously next year,” Dina said. “She has such a natural gift for the game and really understands where to be, when to be, how to hit a ball, when to release and when to go by players. She makes everyone around her better.”
Brown’s time to shine came again in the 71st minute, this time on a corner kick. As her trusty companions lined up at the near post, the future Division I player unleashed a perfectly weighted inside curve that sailed into the back of the net for a 3-0 lead.
Seahawks advance in state tournament
No. 5 Sussex Academy earned another 3-0 result in the opening round of the Division II state tournament May 18, topping visiting No. 12 Concord. Scoring goals were Paige Ballinger, Maya Hastings and Deb Williams. Cate Brown had three assists.
The Seahawks will travel to No. 4 St. Andrew’s in Middletown Thursday, May 23, to take on the Saints in the quarterfinals. Game time is 4 p.m.
