Sussex Academy field hockey comes back to beat Saint Mark’s
Coming from behind to beat an 11-win Saint Mark’s squad 3-1 Oct. 24, the Sussex Academy field hockey team won its 12th game of the regular season, tying a program high.
Spartans senior Brynn Eyler notched the first tally with no time left in the first quarter to put the Seahawks down 1-0. Although they entered halftime trailing, the Seahawks recalled their success in the 9-0 win over Woodbridge Oct. 21 to come out of the half with a plan and confidence.
“The last game, Woodbridge, we worked on moving together, so two or three players at a time moving the ball up, which is what they worked for tonight,” Seahawks coach Caitlyn Hardy said. “It worked really well.”
Senior Shelby Manlove tied the game with her 15th goal of the year two-and-a-half minutes into the third quarter. With the game tied, the Seahawks continued to dominate possession and generate chances to the tune of 27 shots and 22 corners when all was said and done. Saint Mark’s had two of each.
“We were struggling with corners at first, but I think making adjustments around their defense, looking and seeing who was open, and just adjusting as they adjusted was the key,” captain Ryan Lowe said.
Sussex Academy took the lead on one of those shots with just under three minutes to go in the third when senior Lente Werner assisted Rilyn Lehman's 15th goal of the year.
“We were playing with grit and intensity; we knew how much we wanted it,” Lehman said. “Using our composure and our grit – just like wanting to finish the circle – we were able to capitalize toward the end.”
As time ticked away in the fourth quarter, the Seahawks earned a couple of corners, sealing the deal on the second one. Senior Morgan Leeper put a ball on frame that found junior Shea Danahy’s stick for the insurance goal.
“We didn't get our heads down after we were scored against; I think we learned from it,” Leeper said. “We kept pushing even harder when we came out of half, and it paid off.”
The three goals were earned the hard way as Saint Mark’s junior goalie Catherine Jones stopped 22 shots, earning praise from Hardy and Lowe.
“It was very hard to determine how to finish, but we had to make sure that we got the rebound,” Hardy said. “We were there on every single ball in the circle.”
“She was a great great goalie; she had a great game,” Lowe said.
Sussex Academy’s net minder Kacie Rawlings collected three saves to give her 66 on the year. The junior and her defense surrendered 14 goals in 15 games and posted nine shutouts.
Manlove (15), Lehman (15) and Lowe (12) ended the year with double-digit goals as part of their 37-, 36- and 31-point efforts, respectively. Danahy (16), Werner (14), Emma Campbell (13) and Morgan Leeper (10) all joined the two-figure point club.
The Seahawks await seeding in the Division II state tournament.
