Delmar beats Cape 3-2 in overtime to win conference title

The Delmar Wildcats were in a dogfight Nov. 5 at Lake Forest High School, battling the Cape Henlopen Vikings in a four-quarter field hockey game tied at 2-2 at the end of regulation. The game was decided in overtime on a goal off a corner by Baylie Phillips from an assist by Maci Bradford at 7:30 into the sudden-death period. Delmar prevailed 3-2 and celebrated in front of the Cape cage in an UNO Reverse card of the usual get-your-own-goalie celebration after the game.  

Cape’s frequent flier on corner defense, Hannah Maney, was thrown off the line by the official, who ruled that Maney left too soon. Cape couldn't survive the vulnerability of just two defenders protecting goalie Morgan Newcomb, who had 10 saves in the game. 

Newcomb had a spectacular save moments earlier when she stoned Maryland-bound Josie Hollamon on a penalty stroke. Newcomb guessed, dove to her left in the layout position and knocked the shot away. 

Delmar got off fast, scoring the only two goals of the first half, one by Emma Price at 3:30 of the first quarter off an assist from Jordyn Hollamon and the other at 3:36 of the second period by Phillips off an assist from Bradford. 

Delmar hasn’t given up three goals in a game since the state championship game versus Indian River in 2019. 

“It was like a college game out there today,” said Delmar coach Jodi Hollamon. “Just so much talent on the field battling for every possession.”  

Cape rang the bell in the second half on a third-quarter goal by Maney at 7:27 and a fourth-period tally by Lexi Nowakowski at 12:20.   

Delmar outshot Cape 15-8 with a 16-9 advantage in penalty corners.

Delmar goalie Summer Payne, lonely most of the season, had five big saves in the game.

Blue chair quips - Delmar graduates six seniors, while Cape graduates four. Cape is the No. 1 seed in the Division I tournament and opens play at Champions Stadium at 2 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 10, versus Milford. Delmar is the No. 1 seed in the Division II tournament. Lulu Rishko and Avary Miller both received facial cuts in the game that required stitches at Beebe when they got back to Lewes. DIAA limits the number of uniformed players on the postseason sideline to 22. The Vikings have 25 players on the varsity roster.