Sussex Academy celebrates Short’s career with 21-3 win over Polytech
For the fifth year in a row, the Sussex Academy girls’ lacrosse team has clinched a double-digit win total following a 23-3 win over Polytech May 6 on Senior Night.
“It's definitely sad; it’s my last one before I graduate,” said Callie Short. “I had field hockey and now this, so it's sad but I'm excited for the next chapter. I'm happy that all my teammates were here to celebrate with me, and I had a great night.”
Honored alongside her parents, Ryan and Stacy Short, as well as senior managers Rachel Carey and Itzel Gomez Sanchez, the lone senior player and her teammates carried the excitement from pre-game into regulation.
Jumping out to a 6-0 lead in the first quarter, the Seahawks struck early and often.
“It was a great team win today,” Short said. “I'm really excited about how we came out and played all four quarters with the same intensity.”
A member of the 100-goal club in both field hockey and lacrosse, Short praised the efforts of her offense, the defense and goalie Morgan Leeper during the 20-point win. She added a few more goals to her three-digit career total, including some on a smooth inside-roll dodge.
“It’s something I’ve been working on over the past few years and something I like doing, so I was excited to display it,” Short said.
For the second time in three games, Short notched double-digit points, leading the team with four goals and seven assists. Her four-goal output tied Shelby Manlove, Emiley Bisaha and Lily Bisaha for a game-high. Ellie Merrick and Savannah Couch each netted two, while Liz Layton, Rilyn Lehman and Shea Danahy registered a goal apiece. Layton, Bisaha, Manlove and Danahy tied Julie Daniello for second on the team with two assists, while Merrick picked up one helper. Merrick was a force on the draw, controlling eight.
Defensively, an aggressive Quinn Nutter wreaked havoc with a forced turnover and an impressive interception on a one-armed extension. The junior tied fellow defender Savannah Montgomery with two ground balls, finishing second to Manlove’s three and leveling with Emiley Bisaha’s two. Morgan Leeper had five saves to send the Panthers packing 23-3.
Quinn’s dad, Jamie Nutter, manned the bench for the game, filling in for head coach Taylor Gibbs.
“Any time we start hot, then we can sort of pace ourselves and really play our game,” Nutter said. “We had a lot of success on the draw today, and I give a lot of credit to Emiley, Shelby and Ellie on the draw.”
Nutter, a former goalie, added the experience on defense coupled with Leeper, who he called one of the best in the state, helped shut down Polytech’s offense and kickstart the Seahawks’ transition game.
For Short, the night was all about gratitude and past triumphs.
“I have so many great memories here, cherishing them with my teammates, celebrating with my teammates ... I wouldn't be here without them,” Short said. “I'm really thankful for them and, personally, I'm excited. It's been a pleasure to play on this field.”
