Cape girls’ lax beats Archmere, advances to semis
May is the month of distractions in high school sports, from proms to concerts to graduations.
The Archmere girls’ lacrosse team played a 10 a.m. quarterfinal round game at Cape May 18, so they could skedaddle back to Claymont for their Saturday night prom.
Cape (16-0) won the game 16-8, but it was a four-quarter fight, with Archmere battling until the final horn sounded.
“Archmere came in ready to play,” said coach Lindsay Underwood. “They adjusted on the draw control and their defensive sliding from our regular-season game. The team worked the whole game and never quit; it was a closer game than the score showed. There were more cards given in this game than we have gotten all year. We have to adjust on the fly and stay composed.”
Cape has 13 seniors on the 2024 team, but 10 of the 16 goals scored came from underclassmen. Freshmen Ally Diehl (four) and Haley Gamuciello (three) combined for seven goals. Claire Lopez (two) and Macy Steinwedel (one) completed the scoring from underclassmen.
Lindsay D’Ambrogi scored two, while single goals were scored buy Lulu Rishko, Olivia Burkentine, Grace Wiggins and Carrie Clausius.
“We have been talking all year about having lots of scorers each game,” Underwood said. “The more we share the ball, the harder we are as a team to guard. The girls really have a lot of confidence in each other offensively, which is great to see.”
Anna Lopez had her usual stellar game in goal with seven saves, along with her deft passing in clearing the ball.
“Anna has been a rock in the cage for us this year and has been able to really check in and step up when we need her,” Underwood said.
Archmere was led in scoring by Elizabeth DeLuca and Marley Brown with two goals each. Single Archmere goals were scored by Lucy Oliver, Bella Hughes, Claudia Koch and Ciara Knapp.
Senior goalie Ellie DiCarlo was credited with 12 saves.
Cape will play Sussex Academy in the semifinal round at 5 p.m., Tuesday, May 21 at Milford. Cape beat the Seahawks April 12 19-6.
Sussex Academy won 19-9 at Ursuline May 18, coming off a 25-5 opening-round win over Odessa.
Shelby Manlove led the way in scoring with seven goals. Callie Short and Emiley Bisaha each had four. Elizabeth Merrick scored two, while Rilyn Lehman and Shea Danahy each scored one. Short had two assists, while Danahy and Merrick had one apiece.
“The first meeting means nothing. Anything can happen in the state tournament, so we have to come in ready and prepared,” Underwood said. “They are a different team than the first time we played and have really taken off in the second half of their season, so we cannot take them lightly.”
The other semifinal game features Tatnall versus Caesar Rodney at 6 p.m., Tuesday, May 21, at Caravel.
The state championship game will be at Caesar Rodney at 7 p.m., Thursday, May 23.
