Cape hockey prevails at Milford to stay unbeaten
In a great game at Milford’s Buccaneers Stadium played between two top teams Sept. 26, Cape prevailed 2-0 over Milford to improve to 8-0 on the season.
It was Milford’s first loss to a team from Delaware. The Bucs dropped to 5-2 overall.
Neither sideline was happy after the game. Milford was not looking for a moral victory – they haven’t beaten Cape in forever and a day – while Cape coaches were less than ecstatic with the game performance.
“We will keep improving, and I hope we get a chance to play Cape in the tournament this November," said Milford coach Andrea McPike.
“We have to play with urgency from the beginning of the game,” said Cape coach Kate Austin. “We were just off today. I don't know if it was the focus or the crowd, but we were just a little off.”
Cape scored early in the first period (13:03) on a penalty stroke by Atia Sabbagh. Cape would be awarded two more penalty strokes in the game, but each was stopped by goalie Madi Stahl.
Sophomore Emily Wells, always on the hunt for a goal, handled a pass from Norah Block and beat Stahl to the far post at 6:36 of the third period for a 2-0 advantage.
Cape enjoyed a statistical advantage in the game, leading in shots 20-5 and corners 10-5. But stats obscure the story of a paper-thin margin of victory for the Vikings, who were less than happy to head south and remain undefeated.
Stahl, a goalie with an attacking style where she often leaves the cage, was credited with 14 saves. Izzy Mekulski, Cape’s sometimes-lonely goalie, had her best game as a starter, recording five saves, all of which were crucial to the outcome.
“I try to push the ball wide to my defense after a stop and let them play it,” Mekulski said. “Once I just knocked it down.”
Sabbagh, playing defense on a corner, stopped a shot at the goal line just before halftime.
The Masten middies, Bailey and Molly, played a stellar up-and-down game for Milford. Cape’s Sabbagh and Avary Miller played strong in the midfield for Cape.
Cape’s starting back defensive line of Regan Best, Lina Frederick and Ally Diehl continues to protect Mekulski, leading all Division I teams with a 0.4 goals allowed average.
Cape will next host Caesar Rodney Tuesday, Oct. 1. Milford will play at Smyrna the same day.
Delmar beat Lake Forest 3-0 in a key Southern Division contest Sept. 26.
