Seahawks fly past Panthers 1-0 for sixth soccer win in a row

Seven clean sheets in one season is quite the impressive stat. Four clean sheets in a row, starting with the team that knocked Sussex Academy out last year, is incredible.

The Seahawks’ soccer team earned the fourth shutout by dominating possession against a quality Polytech team April 28.

“The defensive line has definitely been working on staying composed, and I think we do a really good job of it,” senior Debora Williams said. “Especially shout out to our keeper Ella [Sprucebank], because I know it's very scary – since you're the last line of defense – and to be able to stay composed with pressure coming in on your face … she does a really good job of that, and so our entire defensive line has been working on that.”

Polytech saw limited chances, and the Seahawks’ 18-yard box stayed clear outside of the occasional long ball. The Panthers held tight defensively, so Sussex Academy had to throw the kitchen sink at the visitors.

Following a few close chances on corners, the Seahawks struck when Patty Lara Nieto played a free kick from just outside into the six-yard box. Williams fought like crazy to get a shot off with the ball bouncing around just feet from the goal. Cool, calm and collected, the captain found the ball and drove it in.

“It was a little bit scrappy, but a goal is a goal at the end of the day,” Williams said. “Most people may not look at it as a banger, but a goal is a goal as long as it gets you on the board.”

Yuvia Velasquez-Juarez didn’t get on the board, but she certainly created chances for herself and others, just missing on a handful of shots. Eventually, those bounces might roll the right way, but in the meantime the offense is focused on making sure those chances occur frequently.

“We've done well adjusting in that midfield and kind of slotting balls to our wingers and then crossing them in for chances,” Velasquez-Juarez said.

The win moves the Seahawks to 7-2-1. They play Seaford after the Cape Gazette deadline April 30. The next match after that will be must-see as they welcome Cape to their nest Thursday, May 7.