Delmar field hockey team celebrates being handed the championship trophy, photo couresy of Nick Halliday
Fans were treated to a great day of championship field hockey from Rullo Stadium on the campus of the University of Delaware.
The weather was fantastic and fans packed the stadium as the Division 2 finals, No.1 Newark Charter vs. No. 2 Delmar faced off at noon and the Division 1 finals No. 1 Smyrna vs. No. 2 Cape Henlopen got started a little after 2 pm.
It was a day where the second seeded teams would both prevail and upset the number ones to claim their spot as the 2023 DIAA State Champions.Â
Newark Charter in their home white uniforms, starkly contrasted by Delmar in their away navy uniforms, a tournament sight I havenât seen before as Delmar usually is the one seed.
In first quarter action, Delmar wasted no time settling into their game plan and creating havoc for the Patriots defense in the circle. Delmar scores a lot of goals on penalty corners and with impeccable stick skills and a quick pace of play forces them regularly.
RELATED STORY: Cape Henlopen takes down Smyrna for state championship
Just three and half minutes into the game (11:42) Jordyn Hollamon would score on the inserted pass from Emily Bitters on a penalty corner. Delmar 1, NC 0. Amanda Rattay would wheel and deal her way through traffic to get a shot at the 5:50 mark with a reverse stick but hit the side of the cage.
That was really the only offense the Patriots would generate this quarter. Delmar would score again after a flurry of shots on goal (7 to be exact) when Jordyn Hollamon would take a reverse stick shot with 4:04 left in the quarter. Delmar 2, NC 0.Â
The second quarter would play out much the same as the first. Delmar created 7 penalty corners. Unfortunately, early in this quarter, Amanda Rattay, the Patriots leading scorer, would catch a back swing of a Delmar stick to the face and suffer an injury that would sideline her for the rest of the game.
It was a next man up mentality for the Patriots as freshman Genevieve Walch entered the game. She, Addison Nelson, Audrey Nelson, and Ella Miller would try to thwart the midfield attackers for the Wildcats.
A tall task to stop Jordyn Bunting, Emily Smith, Regan Wells, Jordyn Hollamon, and Emily Bitters. The Bitter/Hollamon (6:45) connection would prove successful on the 6th penalty corner at 7:18 to put Delmar up before the half 3-0.
Credit to Newark Charterâs goalkeeper, junior Riley Redding, who at this point had a lot of action with 9 saves in the first half to keep this game in reach.Â
Delmar field hockey team poses with championship trophy, photo couresy of Nick Halliday
Coming out of halftime, the Delmar Wildcats found another gear. They would have 5 penalty corners and convert with 6:30 on the clock. Again, Bitter to Hollamon.
The 5:40 corner was almost a goal, but Nelson made a big play, stepped in defensively for a save and a clear outlet pass. 4:09 left and Delmar was on the attack again.
This time Emily Smith would score on a centering pass from Laela Brown. Delmar would go up 5-0. Newark Charter, a season long offensively dominated team, just couldnât get anything going in this quarter.Â
Second half action continued into the fourth quarter, Delmar scoring early (12:20) on a goal by Emily Bitters, unassisted. Delmar 6, NC 0.
Charter would put together a few runs and have another shot on goal but to no avail.
Delmar would come out on top with a final score of 6-0 for their eighth straight Division 2 Field Hockey State Championship. They have not lost in the finals since the inception of the D1/D2 split.
Delmar goals were scored/assisted by:
Q1 –
Hollamon (Bitters) D 11:42
Hollamon, D 4:04
Q2 –
Hollamon (Bitters) D, 6:45
Q3 –
Hollamon (Bitters) D 6:30
Smith (Brown) D 4:09
Q4
Bitters, D 12:20
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