Cape soccer looking for strong start to 2023 season
The 2023 version of the Cape soccer squad is off to a great start in the preseason and has Henlopen North Athletic Conference Coach of the Year Patrick Kilby carefully putting the pieces of a winning puzzle together.
The Vikings were 13-2 in regular-season play and finished up 13-4 after falling 1-4 to Indian River in the Henlopen Conference Championship and 1-4 to Appoquinimink in the DIAA state quarterfinal.
The 2023 graduation depleted some high-scoring players, as in first-team all-state Niko Panyko, Aldo Hernandez and the goalie play of second-team all-state Dru Schneider, who had five shutouts to his credit in 2022.
“We are looking to be very competitive and to build on last year’s accomplishments,” said Kilby. “We were 13-2 and made an appearance in the conference championship. We need to replace the offensive output of Niko (Panyko) and Aldo (Hernandez). We are looking at Jack Schell, Brady Spiegel, Collin Sivels, Cardin Benjamin and Seth Benjamin. Our midfield will be anchored by Evan Burris. Our back line will be anchored by Jerzy Haines. In goal Jake Hutchison looks to be the starter.”
“We should have a great season this year,” said senior Collin Sivels. “Our strength is our chemistry. We all know each other and have played together for a long time. I feel we’ll do OK.”
“We scheduled Appo who knocked us out of the the first round of states last year, and we really want to measure up and see how we align early in the season.”
Kilby looks to Caesar Rodney and Sussex Central to be tough competition in the Henlopen North.
The Vikings will travel to North Carolina Sept. 29-30 to play tough competition from Topsail High School and Cape Fear Academy.
Cape will host a 19-team scrimmage play day Saturday, Aug. 26, and opens Henlopen Conference play Sept. 14 at Smyrna.
