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Indian River's field hockey season didn't end with a division title or state tournament berth, but those close to the program couldn't help but come away with broad smiles and high hopes.

Despite fielding one of the youngest teams in the Henlopen Conference and having just one returning senior starter, the Indians finished with a 7-7-2 overall record, good for third place in the Southern Division.

"I was real pleased with our progress throughout the year," IR coach Cheryl Carey said. "I think the kids see how much they've improved this year. I think they were happy with where they finished."

With just six seniors on the roster, IR struggled to a 1-3 start and stood at just 2-4-1 in early October.

But things began to gel down the stretch, as the Indians recorded an upset victory over Dover and battled Caesar Rodney to a 1-1 tie. A 3-1-1 finish brought the Indians to .500 for the season.

"It was a great way to finish," Carey said. "I'm excited. We'll be young even next year."

Perhaps the main reason for the turnaround was Carey's midseason decision to move sophomore Cara Deldeo from forward to midfield.

Deldeo responded with six goals and six assists. Three of those goals came in a 3-2 overtime victory over Dover Oct. 20.

"She's by far the strongest athlete I have out there. She needed to be in the play," Carey said. "It just opened up our game. That was definitely a highlight of our season."

Deldeo's play earned her First Team All-Conference honors.

Also named to the first team were seniors Sarah Lyons and Keri Page. Lyons finished the season with four goals and four assists.

Carey also praised senior Katie Roach, sophomores Laura Ford and Sam Wilkinson and freshman Julene Gamble, who started every game at midfield.

The early-season struggles didn't keep the team's confidence from growing as young players got more game experience.

"That was definitely a factor as the season went on," Carey said.

But IR also shared a trait common to most young teams ­ inconsistency. The victory over Dover and ties with Cape Henlopen and Caesar Rodney were tempered by losses to Lake Forest and Polytech.

"I think that's youth," Carey said. "We need to be the ones who step on the field with confidence." Once the Indians master that task, they stand a good chance of being among the 16 teams chosen for the state tournament.

"I would love to still be playing in November next year," Carey said.

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