Sponaugle’s Goal Lifts Cape Over Delmar In State Title Rematch

The 5x DIAA State Field Hockey Champions showed they are still the team to beat in Delaware, after pulling out a 1-0 win over Delmar in a battle of the two heavy weight programs in the state. The win improves the Vikings to 9-2, while the loss drops the Wildcats to 11-1.

The teams would be in a defensive battle early on. For the first 10 minutes of the match, the Wildcats came out as the aggressors, controlling the possession and generating a couple scoring opportunities. They would draw the games first corner with under 20 minutes to go in the half. Delmar would be able to send pass to far post and across the circle, however they couldn’t get a stick on it at the far side to really get a strong shot on goal. The final 15 minutes of the first half started to belong to the Vikings. Cape would be able to get a couple shots off, but none were on frame until late in the first half. The Vikings would draw a corner as time expired in the first half. The ball would come out to Alia Marshall, who would send a shot to the far post. Delmar’s Madison Blewitt though would make a great play on it to come up with the save to keep the teams scoreless at half. Cape continued to push in the second half. Off a bit of a broke break away, the ball would get deflected back to a open Amanda Sponaugle, who would send a beautiful shot to the top right corner of the cage for the games first score. Once Cape had the lead, they began to lean on their defense.

Delmar on the other hand, wasn’t ready to go away quietly. They began to attack with a sense of urgency, generating several corners and scoring chances. Peyton Kemp would have an opportunity with around 10 minutes to play with a shot to the far post, but Cape’s keeper Marlee Sabbagh would come up with a save. Delmar continued to scramble, but wasn’t able to get any shot to go home as Cape would hold on for the big win.

Cape returns to action on Tuesday when they host Milford, while Delmar host Seaford on Tuesday.