Cape hockey jump starts season with pair of convincing wins
The Cape field hockey team played Queen Anne’s Sept. 6, then 21 hours later battled Stephen Decatur as part of the season-opening Bi-State Challenge.
“We have never had a team since I've been the Cape hockey coach with so much inexperience along with players in new positions," said coach Kate Austin. “I honestly thought we could lose two”
The cumulative numbers after two Cape victories are a bit eye popping: a Friday 3-0 win over a rugged Queen Anne’s team followed by a resounding 6-1 over an athletic Stephen Decatur team on Saturday afternoon.
That is a 9-1 total score with a 39-5 shots-on-goal advantage with a 28-3 dominance in corners.
Macy Steinwedel totaled five goals over two games, while Mairead Rishko had three total. The other goal was scored by Avary Miller versus Decatur. Norah Block and Alysa McCarthy each record an assist.
Isabella Mekulski, a junior first-year varsity starter in goal, went the distance in each game, totaling four saves.
“We took advantage of our speed and athleticism and played smart over two games, making few mistakes,” Austin said. “September is a tough schedule for us. We have Smyrna, Tower Hill, Indian River and Milford. We will be working to get better, but it's not like last year when we had 11 seniors. Macy [Steinwedel] and Lina [Frederick] are our only seniors.”
Austin mentioned the unsung work of Atia Sabbagh and Rishko in the middle of the field.
“Obviously controlling the midfield is the key to winning hockey games,” she said.
Cape’s backline defense of Regan Best, Frederick and Ally Diehl are charged with thwarting attacks and getting the ball to the midfielders.
“Decatur scored on us late, and I think that was good for our team to know what that feels like,” Austin said.
The Cape JV beat Queen Anne’s 2-0 on goals by Layla Conn and Angelina McCarthy. Jada White had a save in goal.
Cape beat Stephen Decatur 2-0 on goals by Emmilyn Swope and Angelina McCarthy. Teagan Baker had an assist.
The Vikings head to Lake Forest Tuesday, Sept. 10, for a 4:30 p.m. varsity game.
