Cape girls’ lax beats Tatnall 16-4 for state championship
The streak of state titles is now 13 for the Cape girls’ lacrosse team after the Vikings put away the Tatnall Hornets 16-4 May 26 at Delaware State University’s Alumni Stadium.
Since the string of titles began in 2009, Cape has been adaptable and amenable to playing any style of full-field lacrosse the game dictates for an entire 50 minutes.
The Vikings played the cards they were dealt on a slippery-when-wet surface at Del State, which included four first-half yellow cards for Tatnall, resulting in the Hornets playing a player down the rest of the game. Two were drawn by superstar speedster Lydia Colasante, sending her to the bench for the rest the game.
“We knew Tatnall was good after watching them take apart Sussex Academy in the semifinals,” said Cape senior co-captain Kelly Bragg. “But once the game starts, we just play every second fast and at full speed. I don’t know about all the yellow cards. It really wasn’t that physical of a game and not an unfriendly game.”
A 6-3 first-half lead for Cape transitioned into a 10-1 second-half domination for the 16-4 final score. Cape goal scorers were Ella Rishko with four, Lexi Nowakowski with three, Grace Wiggins and Kelly Bragg with two each, and single goals from Lulu Rishko, Sierra Manifold, Molly Mendes, Maren Buckaloo and Lexi Truitt.
Cape goalie Anna Lopez was locked in and lights out, making eight real-deal saves.
Tatnall goals came from Kali Clayton with three and Teryn Singer with one.
Goalie Devon Chipman had eight saves.
Cape outshot Tatnall 42-12.
“We don’t talk about pressure or streaks, any of that stuff,” said Cape coach Lindsey Underwood. “There is a certain relief for each class of seniors to defend the title, but really it’s best to just go out and play, and not overanalyze what any of it means.”
Notes - Tatnall’s four goals were its lowest production over the last two seasons, where the Hornets went 33-4. Cape ran its in-state winning streak to 165 games with 13 straight state titles dating back to 2009. Cape is 39-0 in state tournament games dating back to 2009, including 13-0 in championship games. Cape last lost to a Delaware opponent at St. Andrew’s May 2, 2009. Nineteen days later, the Vikings won their first state championship against St. Andrew’s. Cape coach P.J. Kesmodel retired in 2016 on his 73rd birthday after leading Cape to eight state titles in a row. Coach Lindsey Underwood has been at the helm for the last five state titles. Cape’s unsung defenders include Montana Jones, Mack Brown, Megan Smith and Grace Wiggins. The entire defense returns, including seven starters. There were at least 10 yellow cards awarded during the game, which necessitated several referee conferences to discuss “What is offsides?” The Lewes fire truck escort took the team through Milton down to Dewey Beach and back to Lewes.
