Sussex Academy soccer preparing for title defense in 2024
For the first time in program history, Sussex Academy soccer captured the DIAA Division II state title and the Henlopen Conference title in 2023.
“We know it's a new year and a lot of teams got a lot better, so we definitely have our work cut out for us,” said Seahawks coach R.J. Dina.
“Our goals are very lofty,” said senior goalie C.J. Norton. “We're going trying to go back-to-back, and we have the tools to do that.”
After the final whistle Aug. 22, Conrad’s emphatic celebration over a 3-2 scrimmage win was a glimpse of how meaningful games will be.
“We put ourselves on the map last year,” Dina said. “We won't be surprising anybody; we know that when teams play us, they're gonna give us their absolute best game. We know that. Every game is going to be equally as important as the next one.”
Dina, the 2023 Regional Coach of the Year, has helped cultivate a cohesive culture at the small school.
“We're gonna build a family again, but to do that, we need every single player to do their best,” said senior Andres Romero-Nieto.
The two returning captains think the team has had a solid preseason, but they hope the new starters and players continue to push the team to championship heights.
“Our fitness is there, no doubt,” Norton said. “It's just about putting the pieces together.”
The Seahawks have also paid their dues off the pitch, elevating expectations.
“We're hoping that I don't give up more than five goals this season and that my team can assist me,” Norton said.
Both captains credit Dina with their immensely successful high school careers, a familiar sentiment on the team.
“He's been monumental for the success of the club and the individual players,” Norton said. “I can't say enough good things about him.”
“He's been teaching me stuff that in other schools I wouldn't be able to learn,” Romero-Nieto said. “Plus, he's helping me a lot with college stuff.”
Norton and Romero-Nieto lead a senior class comprising Aleksander Danilenko, Daniel Keshishyan, McKenna Danahy, Keenan Williams, Esteban Lara Nieto, Aiden Villar and Richard Velasquez Perez.
“We have a really strong core group of seniors and juniors this year,” Dina said. “I think every one of them has a very specific role within this group and will be relied on to lead during different moments this year.”
Sussex Academy will kick off the season with a home opener against Sussex Central at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 10. They will welcome Cape at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 8.
“We’ve got history against those schools,” Romero-Nieto said. “Last year, we beat Central twice, once in the conference championship, and with Cape, we haven’t been able to beat them in two years.”
Norton added another date circled on the Seahawks’ calendar – the Nov. 16 DIAA Division II final.
