Sussex Academy boys’ soccer on the verge of DIAA first

Treble, and history, loading ... again.

Concord in 1971 and 1972 was the first public school to win back-to-back state titles since DIAA began tracking champions in 1970. Their neighbor Brandywine went did it twice, 1974-75 and 1979-80, and before Sussex Academy won back-to-back titles the previous two years, the Bulldogs were the last team to do it. 

With their 2-0 victory over Sanford Nov. 12, the Seahawks put themselves in a position to be the first public school to win three years in a row. Neither Concord or Brandywine made it to the title game the year after they won consecutive titles.

Senior Chase Ballinger led the ferocious start when he settled over top of a bouncer and let loose a cannonball into the back of the net within the first five minutes of the game. The early goal set the tempo for the rest of the contest, but the resurgent Sanford program did its best to keep up.

“We were there last year, so experience takes over in this, and if we can start on the front foot, it really puts more pressure on a team like that,” coach R.J. Dina said. “They were a great side, and after they conceded that, they really didn't bend all that much.” 

Sussex Academy continued to dominate possession, but Sanford used a few long and a couple of through passes to generate scoring chances. Senior Ben Steimel was forced to disrupt a breakaway, but the act earned him a yellow card. All things considered, it was the right move to prevent a one-on-none. In another couple instances, keeper Austin Taylor had to come off his line, and instead of just clearing, the senior managed to kickstart the offense.

The Seahawks took a 1-0 edge into the break and had to deal with an early onslaught from the Warriors in the second half, who would not go down without a fight. Sanford nearly knotted the game a couple of times, but the Sussex Academy backline held strong.

“We've got so many guys that have been in this moment,” Dina said. “When the moment is in front of them, they just step up because they understand what it takes.”

With just over 10 minutes to play, senior Jesse Jean-Louis, a forward who relentlessly pressed high, was rewarded for his work and linked up with a familiar face for the insurance goal. Jose Figueroa-Morales battled his way past the defensive midfielders and backline to clear the way for a brilliant pass.

“My teammate Jose, we used to play JV together back in the day sophomore year, and it was the same type of play we used to run,” Jean-Louis said. “There's a chip over, I brought it down to finish it, and that's exactly how it was today.”

Jean-Louis said it was a play he and Jose ran all the time, and he credited his teammates for the scoring chance.

“It's all thanks to my teammates who spent the whole day fighting to put me in that position,” Jean-Louis said.

The senior forward’s role has increased each year of the Seahawks’ title runs.

“It feels great for the third year in a row going to the state championship game, and this time I contributed,” Jean-Louis said. “It's such a great feeling!”

His jumping partner in the winter and summer joined in on the feeling of accomplishment.

“I’m proud of all these guys,” Taylor said. “I'm one step closer to seeing what it feels like to be a CJ Norton, get my ring and be that guy.”

Sussex Academy will square off against Saint Mark’s in a replay of the Seahawks’ 2023 championship, which went to penalty kicks. Kickoff is slated for noon, Saturday, Nov. 15 at Dover High School.