Williams’ hat trick powers Sussex Academy past Smyrna 5-0

Prior to an intense week ahead that will see Sussex Academy girls’ soccer face Saint Mark’s at home before eventually ending the week with an away game against Cape, the Seahawks downed Smryna 5-0 March 27.

Leading the Seahawks offensively was junior Deb Williams, whose two second-half goals sealed her first hat trick of the young season. The captain is usually one to deflect praise.

“I was pretty excited; the first one, which was won off [Patricia Lara Nieto’s] effort, I was able to put the goal away in the corner,” Williams said. “The second one, it was just being aggressive. Yuvia [Velasquez-Juarez] first went to the ball, which created separation for me, and then I was able to get in and finish the goal. Then the third one, that was exciting, once again from Patty's effort.”

Lara Nieto opened up the scoring in the first half with a brilliant ball that served as both a cross and a shot, finding its way into the back of the net for the eighth-grader's first varsity goal.

“I was excited. To be honest, I was aiming more for a cross, but I'm just proud of myself to play with [varsity],” Lara Nieto said.

The middle schooler has showcased tremendous vision in her first two games at the highest scholastic level, leading to early optimism for the season and future. 

Joining Lara Nieto in impressing the Seahawks’ faithful has been freshman winger Isabella Laupert-Visioli, who scored her first goal of the year in the second half.

The shutout marks the second in a row for the Seahawks, and puts them one-quarter of the way toward their season goal of eight. Helping to kick-start the streak has been senior Sienne Serpico, who finds herself in the middle of the back line after living life on the flanks.

“This is a new position for me, but I'm really excited to be figuring out that I really like there, and I think we're definitely settling in,” Serpico said. “As you can see with the zeros on the scoreboard, it's really exciting, and this was also definitely a good test. I feel like there was a little bit more pressure on us this game. They were not a bad team at all … our offense was just baller.”

Sussex Academy battles Saint Mark’s at home April 1, before traveling to Woodbridge Thursday, April 3, and ending the week with a matinee against Cape at 12:30 p.m., Saturday, April 5.