Sussex Academy soccer wins Henlopen Conference title

The Henlopen South champion Sussex Academy soccer team won the conference championship Nov. 2, with a 1-0 win over Northern Division champion Cape Henlopen at Legends Stadium in Lewes.

It’s the Seahawks’ second consecutive conference title. They defeated Sussex Central 2-1 in 2023.

“Great to be on the winning side of this one,” said Sussex Academy head coach R.J. Dina. “Back-to-back conference titles, that’s a testament to these boys and their work ethic. They prepare day in and day out to accomplish these feats. They should be proud. Cape and Sussex Academy has become a massive soccer rivalry. We’ve been fortunate to be on the winning side of many of these games. It’s always going to be a battle. Proud of this group to stick with it and battle until the end. It’s not always pretty, but at this stage of the season, it’s win at all costs.”

Sussex Academy junior Chase Ballinger scored the game’s only goal off a pass from Liam Stegall.

“When the ref said play on, I just kept it moving,” said Ballinger. “I knew Liam was going to slot it and/or try to put it across the middle. It came to me and I just finished it. It’s our second title in a row, and it feels amazing.”

Sussex Academy held a 4-3 shot differential. Seahawks keeper CJ Norton made three saves, while Cape goalie Jake Hutchison stopped three shots.

“It’s an unfortunate result,” said Cape head coach Patrick Kilby. “We have to turn our attention to the state tournament and getting back to the state final.”

“We played a good game tonight,” said Cape captain Cardin Benjamin. “We just couldn’t get a ball in the back of the net, unfortunately. We need to stay focused during training and come out fast like we did in the Henlopen North championship if we want to have a chance at the next round.”

“We have it locked down on defense,” said senior Jerzy Haines. ”We just have to do better on our transitions and our attack to the goal.”

Sussex Academy earned the top seed in the Division II state tournament. The Seahawks will host the winner of the first-round match between No. 8 Saint Mark’s and No. 9 Indian River. The second-round game is set for 6:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 9, at Sussex Academy. 

Thanks to a great run at the end of the season, Cape slipped into the Division I state tournament as the No. 8 seed. The Vikings will face top-seeded Caesar Rodney for the third time this season in a first-round battle at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 7, at CR.