By Andy Walter

Smyrna High field hockey goalie Halle Geiger was voted this week’s State News’ Athlete of the Week.

The junior goalie made several crucial saves as the Eagles knocked off Cape Henlopen, 2-1, in the DIAA Division I state championship game on Saturday. Geiger came up with a couple big stops in overtime before Smyrna captured its first state title in the sport.

Geiger also stopped a one-on-one breakaway in the fourth quarter with her pads, followed by another stop on a two-on-one. In the first quarter, Geiger made a diving stop off a penalty corner.

“She was amazing,” said Eagles’ coach Loveita Moffett.

Geiger was named first-team All-Henlopen North. Geiger and Smyrna’s defense record 11 shutouts in 18 games. For the season, Geiger stopped 54 of the 67 shots she faced.

Of the 13 goals she gave up duirng the season, six were against Delmar, three were against Cape Henlopen and four came in the fourth quarter when the game was out of reach. 

Moffett said Geiger is a "dynamic goal keeper, aggressive off the line on corners, exceptional on strokes, great communicator.  Will dive for cross balls to protect weak side post.  Will pass ball to her teammates in the back field as well."

The Athlete of the Week is nominated and chosen by our readers. The nominating period starts at 2 p.m. on Friday and ends at noon on Monday. A voting period follows from 5 p.m. Monday through 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Here is the link to nominate someone for next week’s award:

https://delawarestatenews.secondstreetapp.com/Athlete-of-the-Week-12-2-22/gallery/

This process is performed exclusively online. When nominating an athlete, please include name, school and sport as well as a photo and brief description of why he or she deserves that week’s honor.

All nominations must be high school varsity athletes and come from high schools within Kent or Sussex counties. The winner appears in print and online each Friday.

Andy Walter can be reached at 302-741-8227 or walter@iniusa.org
Follow on Twitter at @DSNSports.