Cape clinches, doesn’t flinch against CR

Vikings will play Delmar for conference title Nov. 5

Cape seniors are (l-r) Elaina Best, Mackinzie Brown, Grace Hudson and Lexi Truitt. DAVE FREDERICK PHOTOS

Dave Frederick

October 26, 2022

Cape hockey clinched and didn’t flinch at Champions Stadium on Senior Night Oct. 25, holding off the Riders of Caesar Rodney 6-1 to improve to 13-1 on the season with one game remaining against Polytech.

The Vikings own the head-to-head tiebreaker over Smyrna by virtue of a 2-0 victory earlier in the season.

Cape closes out the regular season with a home game versus the Polytech Panthers Thursday, Oct. 27.

“Coach Den [Windett] let the cat out of the bag after the game that a win over CR gave us the Northern Division title,” said Hannah Maney with a smile. “Coach Windy didn’t plan on telling us.”

Peyton Shields scored for the Riders at 4:48 in the third quarter to tighten the game to 2-1.

Cape responded to the pressure by going off for four unanswered goals, starting with Addy Basile in the third quarter, and fourth-quarter goals by Lulu Rishko, Mackinzie Brown and Maney on a penalty stroke.

Cape first-half goals were scored by Basile and Grace Wiggins.

Cape outshot the Riders 18-1, with an 11-1 advantage in penalty corners.

Caesar Rodney goalie Bailey Minear had 12 saves in the game.

Coach Kate Austin said: “We played a very good game offensively and pushed tempo, and our passing and ball patterns were some of the best of the season. Defensively, we need to take more pride in our play. We’re happy to get back to a conference championship game to see a team like Delmar to gear up for the tournament.”

Blue chair quips - The JV game ended in a 1-1 tie on a goal by Kelly Cerf with 3:40 left to play. Miab Langrell scored early in the third quarter for the Riders. Izzy Mekulski and Izzy Fuscellaro each had two saves for Cape. Gina Voss, former Cape hockey and lacrosse player, is the head JV coach for the Riders. Smyrna continues to rock and roll, beating Milford 3-0. Charter School of Wilmington defeated St. Elizabeth 6-0. The Force are to be reckoned with in the postseason. The Henlopen Conference Championship game between Cape and Delmar is scheduled for 2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 5, at a site to be determined.