Manlove scores eight in Seahawks’ 18-4 win over Kent Island
Early spring may have brought cold, wind and showers to Sussex County, but the Sussex Academy girls’ lacrosse team is having no trouble heating up while leaving their opponents high and dry.
Clashing with Kent Island March 28, the Seahawks struck early and often during an 18-4 win over the Maryland foe.
“We went out with a lot of intensity today,” said Sussex Academy coach Taylor Gibbs. “That was kind of our goal – to go out there with urgency and intensity. That helped us execute our game plan today.”
Junior Shelby Manlove was one of the many Seahawks to play with intensity in the blowout win. The midfielder scored eight goals and added an assist as Sussex Academy dominated on draws, ground balls and the transition game. Manlove said she thinks the team's ability to dictate a fast tempo showed through.
“We've been having some intense practices,” she said. “We've been focusing on having urgency and purpose with the ball in practices. We were able to put it all together today. We worked hard in the midfield to get the transition to get the ball back from the defender, and I think that pushed our offense to be able to finish. Our defense picked it up with those interceptions. We did phenomenal in draws.”
Emiley Bisaha finished second on the team with six goals, while senior Callie Short and sophomore Ellie Merrick each had two goals. Short led the team with three assists, while sophomore Shea Danahy and freshman Liz Layton both had two helpers.
Not to be outdone by the offense, the defense stifled Kent Island’s attack by allowing just four goals. Junior Morgan Leeper had six saves, getting help from sophomores Lily Bisaha and Ava Yenovkian, and juniors Quinn Nutter and Savannah Montgomery. The younger Bisaha and Montgomery led the team with two ground balls apiece.
“We were being aggressive,” Montgomery said. “We were following them very well. Overall, we came up hard, and that translated from our practices.”
Possessing the ball for most of the game, the Seahawks’ offense credited the defense for allowing them to take control of the game. When Kent Island had an offensive possession, Sussex Academy was quick to capitalize on any mistake that led to the ball landing on the carpet.
“If you're the first one to the ball, you're the first one to get on offense and you're the first one to score,” Manlove said. “That's our motto and our purpose of getting those balls and coming together on ground balls.”
While the 3-0 Seahawks have outscored their opponents 46-11 to start the year, they’ll face their biggest test yet over spring break when they play at Tatnall School at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, April 6.
