Cape girls’ lax wins at Queen Anne’s 13-12

Cape girls’ lacrosse played at Queen Anne’s March 24 in a steady drizzle. The game featured two dominant teams from Delmarva – the series tied at 4-4 each going back to 2013. 

The game began where it ended, with the Lions with the ball. The score was tied at 12-12 with under a minute to play. Cape goalie Anna Lopez stopped a point-black shot, followed by a short clear to Lulu Rishko who fluidly weaved her way coast-to-coast and dished off to Lindsay D'Ambrogi who buried a left-handed shot like she didn’t miss the entire previous year with concussion protocols. Cape survived the final eight seconds to win 13-12.

“It was the best and quickest clear of the game,” said Cape coach Lindsey Underwood. “The game was Cape calmness under pressure. We made several adjustments during the game and all the players just handled it. Queen Anne’s is just so tough; they never stop coming after you and driving toward the ball on offense.”

Last year's managers became this season’s weapons. Carrie Clausius (sidelined with an ACL injury) scored two goals and dished off an assist, while D’Ambrogi tallied two goals and two assists. 

The two smiled after the game and spoke as one voice. “It's so great to be back playing and contributing to such a big win. There was no hesitation or worry about getting hurt. You just get lost inside the game. Being a manager ... now that is hard.” 

Cape trailed 8-7 at the half after leading 4-1. The Lions’ stud players Kendall Nagle (four goals) and Baillie Pinder (three goals) applied relentless pressure out front. Queen Anne’s only had one assist for their 12 goals, while the Vikings were 6-for-13, which included two assists from D’Ambrogi and one each from  Claire Lopez, Clausius, Macy Steinwedel and Rishko.

Freshman Claire Lopez stepped onto the field as a first-time Cape starter and notched a hat trick. Also scoring were Clausius, D’Ambrogi, Lexi Nowakowski, Grace Wiggins with two each and single goals from Landon Diehl and Rishko. 

Queen Anne’s goals were Nagle with four, Pinder with three, Zoe Crawford and RJ Ensor with two each and Kaisa Hickson with one.

Cape had a 19-18 advantage in shots. Anna Lopez and Maddie George were each credited with six saves. 

Cape embarks on a three-game week, hosting Polytech at 6:15  p.m., Wednesday, March 29; on the road against Indian River at 4:30 p.m., Friday, March 31; then hosting Parkside (Md.) at 1 p.m., Saturday, April 1.

Inside scoops - Cape coach Lindsey Underwood reffed the first half on the JV game won by Cape 14-2. The game was nine versus nine. Alaire Burton had seven goals for Cape. “JV numbers for all programs fell off during the pandemic and haven't come back,” Underwood said.