The competition is slugged “play day” on the schedule, but Cape hockey girls don’t play; they are hot-wired to compete and roll full tilt no matter how hot, how many games, and how many positions they are asked to play.
Friday at home followed by Saturday at DE Turf, the Vikings played nine games against nine different opponents. According to Cape assistant coach Debbie Windett, “We are still moving kids around.”
The Vikings played against Tower Hill, Delmar, Sussex Academy and Polytech Friday, followed by 30-minute games on Saturday versus Wilmington Christian, Newark Charter, Smyrna, Sussex Tech and Lake Forest.
Coach Kate Austin’s digital reflections after back-to-back play days: “We learned some more strengths and areas of weakness the last two days. They worked hard through two really hot days, and we were able to play well against some of the top teams in the state. Our passing game improved, and we started to see some of the connections and ball patterns we’ve been working on. Still need to improve on the defensive side of the ball. Lots of options for putting people in different positions. Lina [Frederick] was in four different positions in the last game. Hannah [Maney], Mack [Brown], and Lulu [Rishko] have looked great. Unfortunately, we haven’t had a look at everyone at a play day [due to college visits].”
The Cape program is in a bit of a rebuild after graduating 10 seniors, four of whom are on college Division I rosters this fall. But the Vikings have 45 players over varsity and JV rosters; many schools are unable to field a JV team.
Cape will open the regular season at home against Pocomoke at 6:45 p.m., Friday, Sept. 9, followed by Severna Park at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 10. Cape played Severna Park five times from 2012 to 2016, with the teams splitting 2-2 with a 2-2 tie in 2013. Severna Park is Maryland’s most successful program; last fall the Falcons won their 25th 4A state title since 1975.