Twin engines Emily and Ella power Cape lax past Seahawks 17-10

Cape’s Senior Night girls’ lacrosse game at Champions Stadium April 30 versus the undefeated Sussex Academy Seahawks featured dramatically changing skies and a squall line that brought wind but little rain.

The “Double E” roared up and down the field for Cape, from the midfield draw circle to picking ground balls and scoring goals, as Emily Monigle and Ella Rishko combined for 11 goals and three assists in a get-ahead, stay-ahead 17-10 victory. 

“Emily and Ella were just fantastic for us,” said Cape coach Lindsey Underwood. “Emily can ‘beast up and show up’ with the best of them. She is a four-year starter, and in my book, she deserves consideration as the best player in Delaware.” 

Cape has not lost to a Delaware team since May 2, 2009, a 13-12 loss to St. Andrew’s. Later that month, Cape would beat the Saints in the state final 11-7 for the first of its 11 straight state championships. 

The Seahawks’ star of the game started in goal, as junior goalkeeper Peyton Nagy was credited with 14 saves, all in the real-deal category. Coaching tips of “Change levels” and “You’ve got to move her” didn’t always work, as Nagy sees the ball better than any goalie Cape has faced this season. 

“They've got her, so they are in the game,” Underwood said. “Shooters have to learn to shoot hard, and that the play is not over until the ball is in the net.”

Madison “Pinky “ Leeper, wearing a helmet, excelled for the Seahawks all over the field, scoring four goals including an early score that gave the Seahawks a 2-1 lead. 

Cape led 9-6 with just minutes remaining until halftime, but the Vikings won consecutive draw controls that were followed by quick goals from Monigle and Ella Rishko for an 11-6 halftime cushion. 

The second half was Cape players keeping their distance, running the clock and taking smart shots. 

Cape goal scorers were Monigle with six, Ella Rishko with five, Lulu Rishko with two, and Haley Craig, Carrie Clausius, Molly Mendez and Kelly Bragg each with one. 

Cape assists were Ella Rishko with two and Mendez, Monigle, Riley Keen and Craig each with one.

Sussex Academy goals were Leeper with four, Madison Burke with two and Sanne Elling, Annabella Guckes, Shelby Manlove, and Jacqueline Thomas each with one. 

Seahawks assists were Elling, Brighid Loftus, Guckes and Thomas each with one. 

Cape goalie Destiny Kusen faced 16 shots with six saves.

Nagy faced 31 shots with 14 saves for the Seahawks. 

Cape has three games remaining in the regular season versus Sussex Tech, Milford and Saint Mark’s.

Sussex Academy has five games remaining against Padua, Dover, Worcester Prep, Ursuline and the Salisbury School.