Sussex Academy soccer secures Henlopen South title

A rain-drenched, wind-whipped 3-1 victory Oct. 29 over Indian River clinched the Henlopen South title for Sussex Academy for the third year in a row.

“Henlopen South has gotten better and better each year, and the competition has grown,” said Seahawks coach R.J. Dina. “It's a good thing for southern soccer. Each team we played this year gave us a tough game, and that's all we can ask.”

For the third year in a row, the IR game decided the title in favor of the Seahawks, with each game remaining close throughout.

Senior George Sapna opened the scoring when he ran onto a through-ball from Liam Stegall.

“I've been playing with George and Chase [Ballinger] for a while,” Stegall said. “They are my wingers, and when I get the ball, I look up and they're always calling for it.”

Stegall remained busy all night in the midfield, disrupting IR chances while creating scoring opportunities for Sussex Academy.

“He's just a sponge; he just absorbs wherever the ball is,” Dina said. “He's played every minute of every game that he's been in. Without him, we have no energy. He's such a special player.” 

Sapna struck again to double the Seahawks’ lead when he received a pass from Ballinger and fired a shot on frame. With the goalie off his line, the ball sailed over a pair of gloves and tucked under the crossbar. The incredibly athletic feat was just another day in the office for Sapna.

“He's a guy that, at times, is the best player on the field for both teams,” Dina said. “But all of the success he has is stuff he's been working on when nobody's paying attention. He's such a gifted player and a great, coachable kid.”

IR made things interesting seven minutes into the second half when the Indians were able to get on the board. They could have had more goals, but Seahawks keeper Austin Taylor was all over the six-yard box protecting his net.

“I live for these moments,” Taylor said. “It's my favorite part of the game, and this game in particular means a lot to me because I wanted to know how it feels as the main guy in goal to win the Henlopen South.”

Sussex Academy notched the insurance goal to produce the 3-1 final after Stegall did some quick work on the right flank with Ballinger, who then set up Sapna for his hat trick in the 65th minute. It was Ballinger’s second helper of the contest.

“My chemistry with Chase over the season has progressed a lot, and I think it showed in this game,” Sapna said.

Sussex Academy had to withstand the last gasps from a still-fighting IR squad, but the Seahawks began winning more and more 50/50 battles. Stegall and Ballinger, in particular, battled hard for those contested chances.

“I'm more confident in the air after all those aerial battles,” Stegall said.

The victory is a boost of self-esteem for the Henlopen South champion Seahawks, but it is an expectation the rapidly rising program has each year. 

“That's a goal that we set in the beginning of the season: South, conference and states,” Sapna said. “It's just one off the checklist.”

Sussex Academy will host Henlopen North champion Cape at 2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 1 in the Henlopen Conference Championship. It is a rematch of last year’s championship game. Earlier this season, the Seahawks beat the Vikings 2-1 in overtime at Cape.