Sussex Academy field hockey dominates Archmere 9-1 in quarterfinals
The Sussex Academy field hockey team is back in the Division II semifinals after taking a two-year hiatus from the final four.
“It was nice being able to play on our turf as a unit,” said Seahawks coach Caitlyn Hardy. “Just a good feeling, not having to travel, not having to wake up as early, and coming out ready to go.”
The No. 3 Seahawks reached the semifinals by taking down No. 6 Archmere 9-1 Nov. 2 in Georgetown.
Sophomore Meredith Schiff scored the first goal before captain Ryan Lowe doubled the Seahawks' lead on a rocket from just inside the shooting circle. Morgan Leeper finished out the first-quarter scoring with a well-earned goal and equally earned celebration to put Sussex Academy up 3-0.
“Starting fast, having that chemistry of knowing where everyone is, and having that intensity throughout the whole game is what pushed us to get where we are today,” Leeper said.
Senior Lente Werner’s hard work in front of the Archmere goal paid off five minutes into the second with the fourth goal. Less than three minutes later, Schiff made it a brace off a pass from Leeper. Lowe joined the sophomore in the two-goal club with her second and the Seahawks' sixth goal of the match.
The first-half shutout did not happen by accident.
“Coming out in the first half, our communication was great,” said senior Madi Jones. “When we had to slide, we told each other's slide, ‘We got your girl.’”
The Auks, who were not making things easy despite the score, broke through to open up the second-half scoring on a penalty stroke. Sussex Academy made sure to turn off the faucet the rest of the game.
“We've been playing with each other for so long, we know exactly where to be; the offense doesn't even have to tell us,” Jones said. “We also know they'll be there and we trust each other.”
Tallies from junior Shea Danahy and senior Shelby Manlove expanded the Seahawks' lead to 8-1. With a seven-goal advantage, Sussex Academy used the cushion to give valuable experience to the second unit.
Eighth-grader Mady Lehman rewarded her coaches’ trust by earning a corner with time ticking away in the fourth. The Seahawks could not convert on the penalty corner, but they did earn a penalty stroke, paving the way for Lowe to complete her hat trick and seal the 9-1 victory over the 12-win Auks.
“I know all the seniors were kind of sad – this is our last official game on the SAS field – but it's good that we went out with a bang like this on this field,” Leeper said.
The win sets up a showdown on Drass Field at Delaware State University’s campus with No. 2 Delmar at 4 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 6. With No. 8 Lake Forest’s upset of No. 1 Newark Charter, the semifinals will feature three teams from the competitive Henlopen South.
“This is a really good feeling, so I'm proud of the girls; they put the work in and they come to work every single day,” Hardy said.
