Cape soccer wraps up preseason with Bayside/Henlopen Classic
Cape boys’ soccer concluded its 2024 preseason undefeated after prevailing against Maryland schools Mardela and North Caroline in the inaugural Bayside/Henlopen Classic Aug. 29.
“We were 5-0 on the preseason and gave up one goal, which was tonight against Mardela,” said Cape coach Patrick Kilby. “Very pleased with the depth that we have on this roster. I think it is probably some of the deepest talent we've had in the last five years.”
The Vikings opened the evening with an 8-1 thrashing of a young Mardela squad that has desire but lacked the skill to keep pace with a talented Cape outfit. A majority of the goals came from the Class of 2025, including finishes off the feet of Brady Speigel, Amir Luna Castellanos, Evan Burris, Cardin Benjamin and Donnie Hefferan.
“We got to control the ball and sit back a little bit and just kind of work on our possession, one-touch, two-touch, just moving the ball around,” Benjamin said.
Benjamin, a captain and member of the 2023 Delaware Top XI, thinks the Vikings' offensive potency will continue in the regular season, noting it is great to work with Speigel, Burris and Seth Benjamin up top.
North Caroline, led by a brilliant keeper, presented more of a challenge for Cape in the finale of the doubleheader. The Bulldogs and Vikings were tied 0-0 heading into the half.
“North Caroline provided a problem for us that we had to solve going into halftime,” Kilby said. “Tyler Nichols, one of our coaches here, put together a lineup and a tactic that allowed our two and three to get forward.”
The extra space allowed Cape to attack North Caroline differently, resulting in Burris scoring the game-winner with just 10 minutes to go. The senior shot from a tough angle, but had enough power on the ball to nestle it into the net.
“I think North Caroline was the first real competitive game this preseason so far,” Benjamin said. “It showed what we're going to go against during the season; everybody that comes here is going to play us like we're their championship game.”
The key to the Vikings’ clean sheet was disciplined defense against an aggressive Bulldogs squad.
“I told the guys just to hold more of a line – be more competitive – since they're going to be stronger, faster and more technical on the ball,” captain Jerzy Haines said.
Haines thinks the defense can replicate the success it had in 2023 following the 2024 preseason.
“We're definitely solid this year; we have a lot more depth,” Haines said.
Cape hosts Delmar at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 4, to open the regular season.
