Vikings 1 jacks it up, then shuts it down ready for fall practice
The entire nation of young athletes coming off the spring and summer shutdown seasons of discontent are simply ecstatic to be back out on the pitch playing sports.
The last two weeks at DE Turf in Frederica have seen Tuesday and Thursday night field hockey with lacrosse and soccer sprinkled on weekdays through weekends.
The Vikings 1 team rolled through two games looking game-time ready, but because of the web of DIAA rules and Division of Public Health precautions, they will wait until Monday, Sept. 28, to begin three weeks of practice.
A season of at least 10 games is expected before Division I and II postseason state championship tournaments.
The deep questions of who is fielding a team, and the status of JV and middle school teams are being answered on the fly. The biggest question from the sidelines of DE Turf is, “Did our team score more goals? And what is the score?”
The Cape attack line when middies come up inside the scoring circle is loaded with finishers, highlighted by Noelle Sabbagh, Reagan Ciabattoni, Ella Rishko, Sam Connors, Emily Monigle, Mac Brown and the rest of the roster. There are no numbers and no scores kept, and the tradition of the goalscorer getting the ball from the goal so everyone knows who scored is cool in off-brand, no-name leagues.
“We are first looking to get back to some level of normal when it comes to field hockey,” said coach Kate Austin, who must exclusively coach the school team beginning Sept. 28. “We have kids who have been working on their game since the season ended last November. We expect them to look good and be in shape. Now as coaches, it's our job to get them in the right places and make sure all athletes get opportunities.”
Cape’s Vikings 3 team played the Bucs 2 (Caravel) in the early game. The Bucs prevailed 2-1.
Schools fielding teams in the two-week league include Delaware Military Academy, Newark Charter, Sussex Tech, Sussex Academy, Milford, Polytech, Glasgow, Charter, Smyrna, Lake Forest, Middletown, Woodbridge and Appoquinimink. Schools played under mascot names in their era of wear or don't wear a mask because everyone is paranoid about something.
Vikings 1 varsity returners include Haley Craig, Riley Klopp, Lily Ashby, Sam Connors, Sierra Manifold, Ella Rishko, Noelle Sabbagh, Emma Duffield, Maggie Dawson, Julie Heffernan, Riley Keen, Emily Monigle, Mackenzie Brown, Reagan Ciabattoni and Molly Mendez.
Vikings 2 comprises Kelly Bragg, Maren Buckaloo, Elaina Best, Morgan Dawson, Hannah Hazzard, Carrie Clausius, Maddie Mastriana, Aubrie Myers, Kayla Sponaugle, Casey Schnupp, Grace Wiggins, Grace Hudson, Cailyn Bledsoe, Anna Lopez and Alexi Nowakowski.
Vikings 3 includes Marissa Woloshin, Rosemary Waple, Sam Ghabra, Cadence McMahon, Morgan Newcomb, Lulu Rishko, Izzy Fuscellaro, Lindsey D’Ambrogi, Sommer Dorman, Tatum Friend, Lexi Truitt, Hannah Maney and Chloe Wood.
