Cape hockey team tests itself in back-to-back play days
Cape field hockey completed two weeks of preseason practice with Friday and Saturday back-to-back play days, facing off against Garrison Forest, Delmar and Tatnall at home, then traveling to Pocomoke Saturday to face Pocomoke, Laurel, Washington High School and Crisfield.
The most interesting matchup was the 25-minute game versus Delmar (18-0 last season) on the Legends Stadium turf. As is tradition, Cape didn’t stack the lineup against Delaware’s other power player.
“We wanted to get a look at younger players before we went with potential starters,” said coach Kate Austin. “We see them in September, and, honestly, neither team is focused on a 25-minute play day scrimmage.”
Cape battled the Grizzlies of Garrison Forest (18-3 last season) to a scoreless game in the first session. Garrison Forest lost to Notre Dame Prep (20-1) last season in the IAAM Class A Conference Championships.
Cape handled the Tatnall Hornets (5-8-2 last season) in the third scrimmage of the Friday play day.
Cape reconfigured the lineup on Saturday, moving some of the speedy sophomores to different positions just to get a better look.
“With our girls, the best on offense are also the best on defense. We don’t sacrifice on the defensive end of the field, but this is a talented team where starters can play different positions,” Austin said.
Cape will open the season Friday, Sept. 6, at DE Turf playing Notre Dame Prep at 6:30 p.m., followed by a 12:30 p.m. contest Saturday, Sept. 7, also at DE Turf versus South River of Maryland.
Cape has 26 players listed on the varsity roster and 19 on the JV team, including 12 freshmen.
