Cape knocked out of tournament by No. 1 CR in double overtime
The Cape boys’ soccer team’s season-long unbeaten streak against Henlopen North opponents came to an end by way of a 3-2 double-overtime loss to top-ranked Caesar Rodney at Legacy Field in Camden Nov. 7.
“I think we did the best we could; we played a heck of a game up there,” said senior Cardin Benjamin. “I think everybody played the best they could.”
Both teams played each other as close as their previous two clashes, featuring defenses that snuffed out most chances before they could become quality. Cape senior Jake Hutchison and his back line handled the Riders’ offense for most of the first half.
“In the back, we felt confident the whole game,” senior Jerzy Haines said.
However, with three minutes left in the half, CR senior Trevor Sullivan carried the ball magnificently through the Vikings’ defense and placed a shot so well that Hutchison could do little about it. The Riders led 1-0 at half.
As time ticked away, a change was needed for Cape to have a chance. Benjamin drew the responsibility of marking an electric Joseph Honore up until the hour-mark of the game.
Just minutes after Benjamin was moved up top, the Vikings began generating scoring chances, leading to senior Brenner Short getting his head on a ball. Evan Burris corralled the ball just outside the six and, with CR keeper Grant Parsons closing in, the captain blasted a rocket into the net to tie the game 1-1 with 16 minutes left in regulation.
“We just needed some energy up top,” Benjamin said about his move forward.
As both teams searched for the winning goal, it was CR that found the answer first on a set piece with just under 10 minutes to go. Jamal Richards came through for the Riders to put the Vikings in a 2-1 hole.
Continuing to battle, the Vikings refused to go down quietly. Senior Jack Flynn switched field on a free kick that found sophomore Seth Benjamin just outside the box with about three minutes left in regulation. Seth didn’t hesitate to tickle twine and knot things at 2-2.
“It's hard not to go crazy when you tie it up like that,” Haines said.
Heading into overtime, it seemed both fan bases and teams thought the game was there’s to take. The intensity only increased when the two squads went into a second overtime.
Following an offensive possession for Cape, CR began roaring downfield with a counter-attack, giving them numbers in the box. CR sophomore Brody Hinkle, who assisted on the Riders’ first two goals, drove forward with the ball, forcing the Vikings defense to commit. Hinkle found Joseph Honore who ended the game with a no-doubt missile into the net to give CR the 3-2 victory.
“We couldn't go out without a state tournament showing, and we put it all on the table for sure,” Benjamin said.
“We ended in a better spot than we thought we would, and it wasn't at all what we wanted, but it was fun,” Haines said.
