Cape Henlopen field hockey celebrates after scoring a goal against Milford, photo courtesy of Nick Halliday
The re-match is set as Smyrna and Cape Henlopen advance to the DIAA Tournament Finals.These two faced off in 2021 and 2022 in the finals with Cape winning in 2021 and Smyrna winning in 2022. In the regular season game, the advantage went to Smyrna 2-1. I want to extend congratulations to both Milford and Charter School of Wilmington for their seasons and making it to the semi finals of the tournament. We are excited to watch your programs continue to grow.
Smyrna field hockey team celebrates after defeating Wilmington Charter, photo courtesy of Nick Halliday
No. 2 Cape Henlopen vs. No. 3 Milford
These two schools sit 21 miles apart in southern Delaware but made the trek to Newark to face off for the second time this season, as they are not strangers. Cape started out slow in the first quarter, which was dominated by Milford. Cape would eventually score with just 1:47 left in the quarter to take the lead 1-0. Much of the play happened inside the 25 yard lines and was a back and forth like a tennis match. Adjustments were made in the break after the first quarter, Cape took over, and never looked back. Hannah Maney, Grace Wiggins, Addie Basile, and Devon DeGregory had a big night for the Vikings. Cape’s big hitters controlled the pace of the game and they had support in all layers. As Coach Kate Austin admitted in our interview “a lot went right tonight” . Their connections and passing allowed for quick ball patterns and transitions from defense to midfield to attack. The third and fourth quarters were much of the same, Cape just dominating but Milford gave it their all and never quit playing.
Hannah Zimmerman, Isabel Betts, Erin Dunlap, Carley Mackert, and Leah Metzner were all standouts for Milford. Dunlap, Mackert, and Metzner were a force on defense. Unfortunately, Milford just could not string together any offensive runs and find the circle. Hannah Maney would upset many Milford attempts on offense.
Cape Henlopen goals were scored/assisted by:
Wiggins/Maney 1:47 (Q1)
DeGregory/Maney 7:02 (Q2)
Wiggins/Sabbagh 1:04 (Q2)
Wiggins/ unassisted 13:46 (Q3)
Miller/Basile 10:55 (Q3)
DeGregory/unassisted 8:56 (Q3)
Congratulations to Andrea McPike, her coaching staff, and the Buccaneers on a great season and congratulations to Kate Austin, her coaching staff, and the Vikings on winning and advancing to the finals.
No. 1 Smyrna vs. No. 5 Charter School of Wilmington
The Force from Charter showed up ready to play. They took Smyrna out of their game plan and scored first. They dominated the offensive end of the game and just unsettled Smyrna and their typical aggressive style of play. The 15 minute first quarter came and went with no score, despite Wilmington Charter creating four penalty corners and scoring opportuinites. The force played low with sticks on the ground and stopped the big hits from Smyrna. The Force struck first with a goal by freshman Adelina DiNicola with an assist from Jillian Villafuerte a minute into the second quarter. She was impressive all night and was an impact player for the Force.The surprise of the night was that it took Smyrna 20 minutes to find the cage. Coach Loveita Moffett admitted they talked about controlling what they could control after the first quarter and playing Smyrna hockey. The Eagles made adjustments and scored three goals in the quarter to go ahead 3-1 going into half time.
Coming out of the half time break, the Moffetts, Dru and Bree, went to work with help from Ava Pierce and Alesia Clarke and never looked back. The Eagles scored quickly in the third quarter on a penalty corner to go ahead 4-1, and scored again on a shot from Dru Moffett to go ahead 5-1. Charter was only able to get one shot on goal, all quarter.
Smyrna scored for the final time on a top in by Ava Pierce to take the lead 6-1 and that is how the game would finish.
Charter goals were scored /assisted by: DiNicola/Villafuerte 14:00
Smyrna goals were scored/assisted by:
Mancuso/D. Moffett 9:40 (Q2)
Pierce/unassisted 4:34 (Q2)
- Moffett/unassisted 2:00 (Q2)
B.Moffett/unassisted 13:59 (Q3)
- Moffett/Clarke 9:02 (Q3)
Pierce/D. Moffett 13:49 (Q4)
Congratulations to Michelle Guenther, her coaching staff, and the Force on a great season and congratulations to Loveita Moffett, her coaching staff, and the Eagles on winning and advancing to the finals.
Division 1 Finals:
No. 1 Smyrna Eagles vs. No. 2 Cape Henlopen @ Rullo Stadium, University of Delaware at 2 pm.
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