Sussex Academy leaps over Lake Forest 2-0
Sussex Academy field hockey posted its sixth shutout of the season in a 2-0 victory over Lake Forest on Breast Cancer Awareness Night Oct. 10.
“Very exciting, fun game, and both ends were competitive,” Seahawks coach Caitlyn Hardy said. “Lake Forest really came to play today; they were great all around – great sportsmanship, great plays and great communication all around, on and off the field.”
The Seahawks began their spar against the Spartans with both teams having shots at taking control of the game, but the first quarter ended without a score. Sussex Academy dominated possession in the second quarter, leading to senior Morgan Leeper knocking in the first goal during a tussle for the ball in front of the Lake Forest cage with less than a minute in the half.
“Today we played really well together – utilizing our passes inside and out – and I think today we finally put it all together – the back passes, looking up and finishing on goal,” Leeper said.
Leeper notched her second goal of the game in the third quarter after gaining a position on the doorstep. Senior Lente Werner sent a ball into the air that seemed to orbit goalie Jessica Lewis before bouncing off the freshman's pads. Leeper used exceptional hand-eye coordination to tip the ball in.
“Playing lacrosse – tracking the ball – definitely helps, but it was just luck and being there,” Leeper said humbly.
While it was Leeper’s first brace of the season, the Seahawks withstood a Spartans assault on their net in the fourth quarter to register Sussex Academy’s sixth shutout. Kacie Rawlings made a few brilliant stops as part of her five-save clean sheet, but credits the girls in front of her for keeping things tidy.
“My defense had very good communication today,” Rawlings said. “We were just doing well connecting our passes and making sure that we were marking up the girls in the circle.”
The junior was more aggressive than normal, thanks to the defensive efforts of Maeve Lawson, Madison Jones, Ava Yenovkian, Liz Layton and Logan Stiles. Even as the pressure of a two-goal lead amplified, the trust prevailed.
“I just know that my defense has my back, I know that they're good in front of me, and I know they all trust me too, so that dynamic works really well for us,” Rawlings said.
Newark Charter
The Seahawks traveled to Robert W. Gore Stadium to battle top-ranked, undefeated Newark Charter Oct. 12. Senior Shelby Manlove got the team on the board first, scoring off an assist from fellow captain Ryan Lowe. Following a scoreless second, Newark Charter netted three goals in the third to beat the Seahawks 3-1.
