Cape lax runs away from Parkside 18-3

Molly Mendes has 13 goals over last three games

Lulu Rishko goes low to score the first goal of the game. DAVE FREDERICK PHOTOS

Dave Frederick

April 3, 2022

Cape girls’ lacrosse played at Parkside April 2, both undefeated teams. Cape took a lead of 3-2 in a closely contested game, then went on a 15-1 tear to walk away from the Rams with an 18-3 victory.

The Vikings are now 5-0 on the season and will host Sussex Academy (5-0) at Champions Stadium at 6:15 p.m., Wednesday, April 6. Cape has outscored opponents in the last three games 58-6, while Sussex Academy holds a 60-5 goal advantage over its previous three games.

A goal by Molly Mendes in the final seconds of the first half made the score 8-3. Cape laid down a crooked number of 10-0 in the second half for the final of 18-3.

“They were athletic and very tough on the offensive end of the field,” said coach Lindsey Underwood. “If they could have gotten a few more draws, the game would have been closer. All our people on the draw circle are aggressive and cat quick.”

Mendes, a senior new to the attack position, scored five goals against the Rams and has 13 over the last three games. Other goal scorers for Cape were Ella Rishko with four goals, Lulu Rishko with three, Kelly Bragg and Lexi Nowakowski with two each, and Sarah Naar and Grace Wiggins each with one.

Eleven of Cape’s goals were assisted, highlighted by Ella Rishko with three; Bragg, Mendes and Maren Buckaloo with two apiece; and Lexi Truitt and Naar with one each.

Parkside goals were scored by Miranda Mears with two and Katie Knapp with one.

Cape outshot Parkside 31-10.

Anna Lopez had seven saves for Cape, while Cory Deitz had eight saves for Parkside.

Cape backline players Grace Wiggins, Montana Jones, Grace Totten and Megan Smith did a great job defending and clearing the ball.

“We play fast and we take chances, and at times, our offense tries to thread the needle on passes a little ill-advisedly, but that is the speed at which we have to play,” Underwood said. “That is the nature of this team.”

Following the Sussex Academy game, Cape will play at Dover Friday, April 8. The Senators, coached by Molly Phillip, are 4-0 and will most likely be 5-0 by Friday’s Cape game.