Sussex Tech will face “back again” Tower Hill at 1 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 21, at Dover. The Hillers, coached by Cape graduate Robin Adair, beat Mount Pleasant in the other semifinal game 3-1.

“A great game every time we play Cape,” said Sussex Tech heaad coach Nancy Tribbitt after the game. Tribbitt was nicknamed “Squeak” back in 1973 when she led the Cape Henlopen girls basketball team to the state championship.  

“I have nothing but the ultimate respect for their coaches and players. It has been an emotional road for us.”

Two years ago on the same field the Ravens defeated Brandywine to advance to the title game. The very next day, Tribbitt discovered that one of her senior players - a low- to no-risk academic student - had failed a class for the first marking period, which made her ineligible for that semifinal game, and the Ravens had to forfeit, which put Brandywine back in the show.

The Bulldogs have the distinction of being the only Delaware team to ever lose twice in a single-elimination state tournament as Tower Hill won that state title game.

“It was a great game - back and forth - and our kids played well and played their hearts out,“ Cape head coach Nicole Catanzaro said after the game.

”We played much of the first half in our end of the field not because we were tight, but because those were two good teams and the momentum kept shifting.”

Sussex Tech was credited with only six shots on goal for the entire game while Cape managed five.

Caitlyn Stone for the Ravens was credited with five saves while Cape goalie Veronica D’Amico had four. The game was played mostly in the midfield where every ball was contested and along the backline where defenders kept the ball off their goalie.

“There is always a lot going on leading up to Tech and Cape playing each other,” said the Ravens’ Maxine Fluharty. “You can’t let any of that stuff bother you - you just have to go out there and play.”

Tribbett did an on-camera television interview after the game and patiently and graciously answered questions from reporters. But just like the reserved Robin Adair, friends of “Squeak” know the game isn’t about her.

“In my field hockey coaching career of 20 years I’ve now beaten Cape only three times,” Tribbitt said after the game.

“I have experienced my share of disappointment. I am so happy that the girls will get the chance to play for the state championship. It will be the sports experience of their young lives.”

Coach paused and smiled, “It will be the sports experience of my old life.”