Wildcats hockey too tough to tame for rising Seahawks

Delmar’s Hollamon scores all four in shutout of Sussex Academy

Sussex Academy captain Shelby Manlove winds up to drive the ball as Delmar junior Rilyn Nichols closes in during the Wildcats’ 4-0 win over the Seahawks in Delmar Sept. 17. AARON MUSHRUSH PHOTOS

Aaron R. Mushrush

September 19, 2024

As evidenced by her commitment to the University of Maryland, Delmar senior Jordyn Hollamon is good at field hockey.

For any doubters, her four-goal effort in the Wildcats' 4-0 win over a red-hot Sussex Academy field hockey team is further proof of her quality. Striking first at the 8:41 mark in the first quarter, the captain proceeded to score a goal in every quarter of the Sept. 17 matchup that likely determined the winner of the Henlopen South, despite the freshness of the 2024 season.

“I think Delmar did a really good job of utilizing their middle. Their strongest players were playing in the middle, so utilizing it all the way up,” said Seahawks coach Caitlyn Hardy before complimenting Hollamon. “She dribbled straight up to the to the end of our side, and Delmar was getting it into the circle and then finishing; her shots were on point.”

Sussex Academy seemed to quell the options around Hollamon, forcing the talented midfielder to create and convert her own chances. Seahawks defenders, such as senior Madison Jones and sophomore Liz Layton, worked hard to force turnovers or stop the advancements of Hollamon’s running mates Laela and Tylah Brown, while Sussex Academy captains Rilyn Lehman and Shelby Manlove took turns marking Hollamon. Unfortunately for Sussex Academy, they could not respond on the offensive end after Hollamon’s unassisted goals.

Hardy believes her girls are capable of performing at a higher level.

“Attacking the middle, getting it out wide and using our strong side,” Hardy said about her team’s strengths. “A lot of times we got it down there; it was just finishing in the circle that was the hardest part for us.”

Delmar took four times as many shots as Sussex Academy (16-4) and earned nine corners compared to the Seahawks’ two. Junior Kacie Rawlings made a few tough stops in her 12-save effort.

Sussex Academy coaches and players believe they can learn and grow from the 4-0 loss.

“You can hold your head down low a little bit today, but we're onward and upward,” Hardy said to her team. “We have a lot more games.”

Seahawks senior Madison Jones passes the ball in Sussex Academy territory.

Delmar captain Jordyn Hollamon had to use some tough love to explain to a teammate that they should not just hit the ball so hard without direction.

Sussex Academy players are ready to defend one of Delmar’s nine corners. Shown are (l-r) Madison Jones, Kacie Rawlings, Liz Layton, Rilyn Lehman and Shelby Manlove.