The Cape soccer squad punched its ticket to the DIAA Division I state championship game Nov. 14 with a 3-1 victory over Charter School of Wilmington. The Vikings will face Salesianum Saturday, Nov. 18, at Dover High School.

Charter scored first 10 minutes into the game with an unassisted goal by junior midfielder Nicholas Livaditis. That’s all the team would get. 

Cape’s offense was efficient in the game, scoring on three of five shots.

Just two minutes after the Force’s goal, Donovan Sandoval tied it up off a pass from Angel Haro. Senior Jack Schell gave the Vikings the 2-1 lead when he took a Cardin Benjamin pass, waltzed his way past Force keeper Ryan Terranova and tapped the ball into the cage.

“It was hard to let up that much and tap the ball past their keeper,” said Schell. “I’ve played against Sallies in the final of lacrosse. I’d like to win this one against them Saturday.”

Donnacha Hefferan added an insurance goal at 59 minutes off an Evan Burris pass.

Cape keeper Jake Hutchison stopped eight shots.

“It was tough making adjustments to face Charter after the Dover game,” said Hutchison. “They are both great teams, but they are very different. We knew we had to come in and be disciplined on the ball and capitalize on the chances when we got them, because you don’t get too many chances with a good team like that.”

The Force held a 9-2 edge in corners.

“This is a special group,” said an emotional head coach Patrick Kilby. “When we made our long-range goals, Jack Schell said it best, saying, ‘We are going to play until there is no one left to play. We’re going to win until there’s no one left to beat. We’ve got one more.’

“These guys are the cardiac kids. They are 6-1 in one-goal games and 6-0 in overtime games. I love these guys. I’m so happy. I’m going to enjoy it tonight. Saturday we’ve got to answer the bell. We’ve got to slay the beast.”

The Vikings will face Sallies Nov. 18 at Dover High School. Game time is 3 p.m.