Emotional moments at Champions Stadium for CR and Cape lax players

The Caesar Rodney at Cape girls’ lacrosse games at Champions Stadium April 25 were a mismatched perfect match. 

Cape won the JV game 17-0; varsity won 19-4. 

There was a surprise before the JV game for retired coach Debbie Windett, who thought she was there to keep the scorebook. Lori Voss, mom of Caesar Rodney head coach Gina Voss, made an announcement from the press box over the public address sound system. 

“The Cape Henlopen women’s lacrosse program would like to take a moment to thank coach Deb Windett for her dedication to the program. Coach Deb led our JV program from 2014 to 2021, when she retired. During her seven years at Cape, coach Deb amassed a record of 86-7-1. Your coaching skills and time investment pushed the team to successful seasons each year. Thank you for inspiring your team to keep working hard to achieve their goals. We thank you for your dedication to our program and to the sport of lacrosse across the state.”

Deb was the inaugural head coach for the Caesar Rodney girls’ lacrosse team and currently serves as chair of the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association Girls’ Lacrosse Committee.  

“We would like to recognize Deb for the enormous contribution she has made to girls’ and women's sports in the State of Delaware, particularly for her part in helping grow the sport of girls’ lacrosse at every level. We love you, coach Deb!”

Deb got flowers and hugs from the Cape girls and a new pair of gray sneakers. And then a game broke out.

The moment before the varsity game was emotional for both teams, as all players, including three young girls from the Atlantic Lacrosse program, stood in silence as Lori Voss, with her voice ever so slightly quivering, read the words: “Tonight we want to honor Dr. David Robinson, who passed away yesterday, Sunday, April 24. Dave was originally from Lewes, where he was an outstanding athlete. He was a teacher, coach, principal and superintendent in the Caesar Rodney School District. He was instrumental in starting girls’ lacrosse at Cape in 1998. After retiring, Dave became the interim superintendent of the Cape Henlopen School District. Dave fought to get female athletes a stadium and turf field at Cape. His daughters were CR grads, and all six of his grandkids are students in the Cape district. Both CR and Cape owe so much to him for his support. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Linda and his family. Please join us in a moment of silence to honor Dr. Dave Robinson.”

Goal scorers in the varsity game were Molly Mendes with seven, Maren Buckaloo and Ella Rishko with three each, Kelly Bragg and Lexi Truitt with two apiece, and Grace Wiggins and Landon Diehl each with one.

Cape assists were Lulu Rishko and Buckaloo with two apiece, and single assists from Ella Rishko, Mendes, Lexi Nowakowski, Truitt and Sarah Naar. 

Cape goalie saves were Anna Lopez and Mikaylah Lindsay with three each. 

Caesar Rodney goals were scored by Elle Roberts with two and Rylie Faircloth and Alex Mardesich with one each.

Goalie Melissa Dolt had six saves.

Cape JV goal scorers were Olivia Burkentine with four, Anna Sullivan and Keara Parsons with three apiece, Skylar Steigerwalt and Lina Frederick with two each, and Landon Diehl and Hannah Abel with one each.

Cape assists were Sullivan with three and singles from Diehl, Burkentine, Korie Glenn and Steigerwalt.

The Cape girls are scheduled to play at Smyrna at 4 p.m., Friday, April 29.