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Sussex Academy soccer’s first alumni game a success

Current and former Seahawks ball out on a brisk autumn day
Sussex Academy soccer held its inaugural alumni game Black Friday. In back are (l-r) Mack Leonard, Milan Patel, Jake Mundock, Mark Williams, Chase Ballinger, Johnson Ventura, Evan Jarrell, Ethan Bolades, CJ Norton, Christian Lopez, Riley Custodio, Adison Browne, Cole White, Kyle Berdini, Arpan Patel, Michael Daniello, Zane Miller, Daniel Hearn, Lex Johnson and David Hawtoff. In front are Tayler Flaherty, Grace Fiorilla, Sharon Rodriguez, Andres Romero, Richie Velasquez, Austin Taylor, George Sapna, Esteban Lara Nieto, Ben Steimel, Alex Danilenko, Noah Benz, Carmen Merrick, Ashley Alvarez and Natalie Roblero. AARON R. MUSHRUSH PHOTOS
Aaron R. Mushrush
December 6, 2025

For the first time in program history, Sussex Academy soccer has created a venue to settle disputes over which class was better, with its inaugural alumni game.

Two groups split the main field the Seahawks have fiercely defended in both boys’ and girls’ soccer over the last few years. Graduates as far back as 2020 linked up with players from every year since, including the 2026 class, to spend their Black Friday playing the game they love.

Participants included Tayler Flaherty (2024), Grace Fiorilla (2024), Sharon Rodriguez (2022), Andres Romero (2025), Richie Velasquez (2025), Austin Taylor (2026), George Sapna (2026), Esteban Lara Nieto (2025), Ben Steimel (2026), Alex Danilenko (2025), Noah Benz (2026), Carmen Merrick (2024), Ashley Alvarez (2025), Natalie Roblero (2025), Mack Leonard (2022), Milan Patel (2020), Jake Mundock (2020), Mark Williams (2030), Chase Ballinger (2026), Johnson Ventura (2024), Evan Jarrell (2022), Ethan Bolades (2024), CJ Norton (2025), Christian Lopez (2022,) Riley Custodio (2021), Adison Browne (2021), Cole White (2021), Kyle Berdini (2020), Arpan Patel (2022), Michael Daniello (2022), Zane Miller (2022), Daniel Hearn (2022), Lex Johnson (2022) and David Hawtoff (2022).

Andres Romero-Nieto passes the ball in his Goldey-Beacom gear.
Sussex Academy head coach R.J. Dina boots the ball.
Seahawks senior Austin Taylor starts the transition.
Sussex Academy senior Noah Benz smiles after his goal.
Riley Custodio controls the ball.
Aleks Danilenko looks for options.
Esteban Lara Nieto played goalie while Rowan College keeper CJ Norton played in the field.
Class of 2024 graduate Tayler Flaherty navigates the defense like she did all season at Alvernia University this past fall.
Class of 2024 graduate Carmen Merrick had to chose volleyball over soccer due to them being in the same season, but enjoys anytime she gets on the pitch.
Smart move by 2025 graduate Aleks Danilenko to just put the leg out against Tayler Flaherty, given the cold and velo she has on her shots.
Grace Fiorilla was laughing a bit too much to stop this strike.
Natalie Roblero works up the sideline.
Class of 2024 graduate Carmen Merrick tries to get past 2025 graduate Andres Romero.
Class of 2024 graduate Carmen Merrick passes the rock.
Class of 2025 graduate CJ Norton is a goalie on the outside, but a field player on the inside.
Class of 2025 graduate CJ Norton heads the ball past senior Chase Ballinger.
Class of 2025 graduate and current Goldey-Beacom player Andres Romero shoots.
Class of 2024 graduate and current Alvernia University player Tayler Flaherty settles the ball.
Class of 2025 graduate Ashley Alvarez has her clear blocked by R.J. Dina.
Class of 2024 graduate Tayler Flaherty was happy to be at her old stomping grounds.

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Aaron Mushrush joined the sports team in Summer 2023 to help cover the emerging youth athletics scene in the Cape Region. After lettering in soccer and lacrosse at Sussex Tech, he played lacrosse at Division III Eastern University in St. David's, PA. Aaron coached lacrosse at Sussex Tech in 2009 and 2011. Post-collegiately, Mush played in the Eastern Shore Summer Lacrosse League for Blue Bird Tavern and Saltwater Lacrosse. He competed in several tournaments for the Shamrocks Lacrosse Club, which blossomed into the Maryland Lacrosse League (MDLL). Aaron interned at the Coastal Point before becoming assistant director at WMDT-TV 47 ABC in 2017 and eventually assignment editor in 2018. 

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