Cape soccer holds awards banquet

Burris receives team MVP

Cape senior Evan Burris receives the team MVP award from head coach Patrick Kilby during the awards banquet held Nov. 18 at Baywood Greens. DAN COOK PHOTOS

Dan Cook

December 7, 2024

The Cape Henlopen High School boys’ soccer team held its end-of-season awards banquet Nov. 18 at Baywood Greens Clubhouse.

Coach Patrick Kilby praised his 2024 squad as one of the best he’s had in his 10-year career at Cape.

“I’ve known a lot of these young men since they were children,” Kilby said. “It has been a privilege to know them and coach them all these years.”

The varsity MVP award was presented to Evan Burris, who scored 10 goals on the season.

“It felt really good,” said Burris. “And that all of my hard work paid off. It has kind of been a goal of mine since elementary school to be a big part of a high school soccer team and contribute like I did this year. I’m super thankful for my teammates and coaches who pushed me to be the best person and player I could be. I’m super happy with how I played this year.”

The varsity Sportsmanship Award was presented to Cardin Benjamin. The Offensive MVP went to Brady Spiegel, while the defensive MVP was presented to Donnacha Hefferan.

The JV MVP Award went to Roberto Garcia. The JV Sportsmanship Award was presented to Pierce Conway. The JV Defensive MVP honor was garnered by Colby Wheeler, and the JV Offensive MVP went to Jackson Hess.

The Third-Team MVP Award went to Liam Durand. The Third-Team Sportsmanship Award was presented to Andy Rodriguez Carrascosa. The Third-Team Offensive MVP was Brian Hamilton, and the Third-Team Defensive MVP went to Kevin Romirez Martin.

Burris garnered first-team all-state and first-team all-conference. Goalie Jake Hutchison received first-team all-state and first-team all-conference.

Benjamin received second-team all-state and first-team all-conference.

Spiegel, Hefferan and Brandon Loucks received second-team all-conference, while Seth Benjamin received honorable mention all-conference.

Kilby received a team-signed ball from his assistant Joe Rupar for his 100th coaching win, which came against Laurel Sept. 23.

Kilby also gave kudos to Rupar, as he is retiring from the coaching staff.

“Joe has been with me eight seasons,” said Kilby. “He has been a coach that has been with me the longest during my Cape tenure. He has been a wonderful asset to our program. He coached with a high level of expectation and was a wonderful coach in terms of building relationships with the boys. He is someone who became a great friend and colleague of mine. My hope is that he still comes around and finds time to be present when he can. Joe will be missed.”

Coach Patrick Kilby welcomes guests to the banquet and gives a review of the season.

Freshmen team coach Scott Smith speaks to attendees and reviews his squad’s season.

JV head coach Tyler Nichols talks about his team’s season.

Pierce Conway receives the JV Sportsmanship Award from coach Tyler Nichols.

Colby Wheeler receives the JV Defensive MVP Award from coach Tyler Nichols.

Jackson Hess receives the JV Offensive MVP Award from coach Tyler Nichols.

Roberto Garcia receives the JV Team MVP Award from coach Tyler Nichols.

Cape JV coach Tyler Nichols stands with the JV Award winners. Shown are (l-r) Nichols, MVP Roberto Garcia, Offensive MVP Jackson Hess, JV Defensive MVP Colby Wheeler and Sportsmanship Award winner Pierce Conway.