GEORGETOWN – The Sussex Central boys soccer team thought this could be a special season.
It became very special in the 93rd minute on Thursday night.
Dalendy Dupervil scored three minutes into the second overtime period as the Golden Knights clinched the Henlopen North championship with a 1-0 home victory over previously undefeated Polytech.
“They believe every game, they’re going to win,” Sussex Central coach Kevin Cash said of his team. “… They have faith in each other. They never stop.”
Dupervil never stopped, pouncing on a golden opportunity after a bouncing ball eluded the Panthers’ goalkeeper for a split second.
“I worked so hard for it, and I made it,” the senior forward said. “I’m so proud of myself, so proud of the team. I’m just thankful I made it.”
The Golden Knights (9-1, 5-0), ranked fifth statewide in Division I, are in their first season back under Cash, who returned after coaching Georgetown Middle School to a 54-0-1 record in five years. The winning is continuing in high school, only interrupted by a 1-0 loss to Indian River on Oct. 4.
“Pretty much all of these boys played for me at the middle school, so they know me and I know them,” Cash said. “I love them all to death.”
Sussex Central built an 18-8 advantage in shots over fourth-ranked Polytech (9-1, 2-1), but neither team generated many quality chances. In the first half, Tyler Imprescia’s header off a Marco Maddalena corner kick sailed just wide for the Panthers, and Yunior Cruz’s header off of a Kel Ordonez Garcia corner zipped over the crossbar for the Golden Knights.
Central’s Christian Castillo missed high on a 25-yard free kick in the 50th minute, and the Golden Knights managed to deflect Maddalena’s free blast from 19 yards in the 65th minute.
“We were patient,” Central midfielder Isaiah Jean Baptiste said. “We knew it was going to be a tough battle. Polytech was undefeated, but we knew we could beat any team. We can compete with anybody.”
In the first overtime, a leaping header by Maddalena sailed wide in the 84th minute, and Jean Baptiste was stuffed from close range two minutes later.
“If we walked out and played them 10 times, we’d probably win five and they would probably win five,” Cash said of the even matchup.
The critical sequence came early in the second OT, when a hustling Dupervil got an unexpected opportunity. He cashed in to set off a wild celebration.
“That’s the same way IR scored against us,” Cash said. “I told the boys it’s going to be whichever team makes the first mistake of this half, they’re going to be the ones who lose.”
The Golden Knights still have five regular-season games remaining, against Delmar, Milford, Dover, St. Mark’s and Lake Forest. Then it’s on to the postseason, as the conference title ensures them a bid in the DIAA Division I Tournament.
“It feels amazing,” Jean Baptiste said. “I just knew from the beginning we could do great things like this. Winning the game like this and winning the Henlopen North championship means everything for us.”
Contact Brad Myers at bmyers@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter: @BradMyersTNJ.
Polytech’s Marco Maddalena (7) center, runs after the ball during the first half of play against Sussex Central.
Polytech’s Marco Maddalena (7) and Sussex Central’s Kel Ordonez Garcia (9) battle for the ball during the first half of play.
Polytech’s Bryce Wahinya (14) keeps the ball in play in the first half against Sussex Central.
Polyptych’s Kyle Wentling (18) chases after Sussex Central’s Dalendy Dupervil (10) during the first half of play.
Polytech’s Joshua Wingfield (2) kicks the ball over the head of Sussex Central’s Yunior Cruz (6) during their game at Sussex Central High School.
Sussex Central’s Isaiah Jean Baptiste (7) battles for possession during their home game against Polytech.
Polytech’s Benjamin Kaplan (12) and Sussex Central’s Isaac Flores (22) chase after the ball in the first half of play.
Sussex Central’s Fredi Morales Perez (12) and Polytech’s Bryce Wahinya (14) jump up for a head ball during the first half of play.
Sussex Central’s Yordan Morales Perez (11) and Polytech’s Kyle Wentling (18) battle for the ball near the sidelines during their game at Sussex Central High School.
Polytech’s Kyle Wentling (18) and Sussex Central’s Fredi Morales Perez (12) battle for possession of the ball.
Sussex Central’s Yordan Morales Perez (11) and Polytech’s Ian Gibson (19) battle for the ball during their game at Sussex Central High School.
Sussex Central’s Yunior Cruz (6) heads the ball away from Polytech’s Bryce Wahinya (14) in their game at Sussex Central High School.
Sussex Central’s Junior Cruz (6) runs down the field in their win over Polytech.
Polytech’s Bryce Wahinya (14) tries to gain control of the ball in their game against Sussex Central.
Polytech’s goalie Noah Lust (23) grabs the ball in the air before Sussex Central’s Isaiah Jean Baptiste (7) could get his head on it during their game at Sussex Central High School.
Sussex Central’s Christopher Ramirez (8) jumps over Polytech’s Tyler Imprescia (5) in their 1-0 win.
Sussex Central’s Yunior Cruz (6) and Polytech’s Bryce Wahinya (14) battle for the ball in their game at Sussex Central High School.
Sussex Central’s Yordan Morales Perez (11) jumps in the air for the ball in their win over Polytech.
Sussex Central’s Jose Gonzalez Lopez (3) and Polytech’s Zachary Maheu (3) go after the ball in their game at Sussex Central High School.
Sussex Central celebrates after scoring the winning goal in over time to defeat Polytech.
Sussex Central’s Dalendy Dupervil (10) goes for a shot in their 1-0 win over Polytech.
Sussex Central’s Yunior Cruz (6) and Polytech’s Bryce Wahinya (14) battle for the ball at mid field in their game at Sussex Central High School.
Sussex Central’s Dalendy Dupervil (10) goes passed Polytech’s goalie, Noah Lust (23), for the winning over time goal during their game at Sussex Central High School.
Sussex Central’s Dalendy Dupervil (10) goes for ball in their 1-0 win over Polytech.