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Hockey for Haxton heats up Milton Elementary

Elizabeth 'Lizzie' Soucy wins scholarship
Former Cape player Kelly Smith, left, of the Family Ties team avoids a check from Beers & Blue Hens defender Brittani Scalia during the Adult Division tourney. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
December 19, 2017
Cape teacher David Mushrush, right, of the Yesterday’s Champions team plays tough defense on Cape grad Jenna Steele of the BAMFS team.
Rachael Richardson, left, of the Slay Belles team battles for possession with Anna Steiner of the Do It for the Hos team.
Former Cape all-star goalie Nikki (Rhodes) Plummer, left, of the Yesterday’s Champions team, makes a save on BAMFS forward Max Coveleski.
Cape hockey assistant coach Jenna Burkhart of the Slay Belles team looks to pass into the scoring circle.
Devin Medd of the BAMFS team celebrates after scoring a goal off a pass by Max Coveleski.
Devin Medd, left, of the BAMFS squad battles for possession with Zach Plummer of the Yesterday’s Champions team.
Family Ties goalie Bekah Yanacek makes a save.
BAMFS player Kelly Smith, right, controls the ball despite the tough defense played by Yesterday’s Champions defender Sara Mushrush.
Former Cape player Carey Karl, right, of the Do It for the Hos team, blocks up a pass from Rachael Richardson of the Slay Belles team.
Delaware Shore Executive Director Mike Eisenhour, right, presents the 2017 Hockey for Haxton Scholarship to Elizabeth “Lizzie” Soucy. SUBMITTED PHOTO

The 12th annual Hockey for Haxton Indoor Hockey Tournament was held Dec. 16-17 at Milton Elementary School. The weekend of indoor hockey honors 2005 graduate Amanda Haxton, who was a standout player at Cape and Delaware Shore Field Hockey. She passed away in 2008 as a result of injuries suffered in a car accident.

The tournament is directed by Haxton’s best friend Danielle Renken and former Cape coach and Delaware Shore Executive Director Mike Eisenhour. The tournament has taken place since 2007. Proceeds benefit the Amanda Haxton Scholarship and Easterseals of Georgetown.

“It was a good tournament this year,” said Eisenhour, who has been an integral part of the ongoing fundraiser.

Seventeen teams ranging from ages 12 and under through adult played four 20-minute games using a six-versus-six format. The scores didn’t really matter, as the players dribbled, passed, shot and saved memories of Amanda “Hax” Haxton, who always had a smile and a kind word for everyone she met.

“I grew up with the Haxtons,” said Cape grad Kelly Smith. “Unfortunately, I never had the opportunity to play with Amanda. Seeing how many of her friends come together every single year to celebrate her spirit of her life through a sport that she loved is truly inspiring.”

This year’s scholarship winner was Elizabeth “Lizzie” Soucy, who is a senior at Mount Pleasant High School.

“Lizzie has been a member of Delaware Shore Hockey since 2015,” said Eisenhour. “She will graduate from Mount Pleasant High School in May 2018, and she is still investigating colleges and universities, and intending on playing field hockey and possibly lacrosse.”

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Dan has worked for the Cape Gazette for more than 30 years as a photographer and reporter, covering high school sports and happenings around eastern Sussex County. He won a photography award from the National Newspaper Association, and numerous awards from the Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association. A Delaware native, Dan graduated from Cape in 1972 and returned as a teacher and coach in the 1980s. He retired from the classroom in 2016. He was inducted into Cape High’s Legends Stadium in 2016. In his spare time, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons, grandchildren and dogs. 

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