Cape girls’ lax beats Tatnall for 14th state championship
The Cape girls’ lacrosse team seized the day like Seize the Gray in the Preakness Stakes, leading post to paddock to the winner's circle, beating Tatnall 12-8 in the state championship game May 23 at Caesar Rodney High School.
Cape completed the season 18-0, securing the program’s 14th state championship since 2009. Cape’s field hockey and girls’ lacrosse teams each secured state championships in 2023-24 by coming back in the finals and beating the team they lost to by a goal the previous season, hockey beating Smyrna and lacrosse avenging a 10-9 loss to Tatnall in 2023.
“Last year, we learned that the world doesn’t end after a loss – you just stay focused and keep playing,” said senior goalie Anna Lopez. “The last two games against quality teams like Sussex Academy and Tatnall, I knew more of the action would come to the defensive end of the field. I’ve always looked at it like a defensive unit, and my defense was awesome all year. Stops and clears, there’s just so much that goes into it.”
Cape led 6-4 at halftime. A 6-3 run by the Vikings in the third quarter eased the Vikings to a 12-7 advantage entering the final period. There is no shot clock in Delaware high school girls’ lacrosse – possession is everything – so Cape went into its spread yellow controlled delay game and came away with a 12-8 victory.
Midfielder Grace Wiggins and defender Montana Jones were shooting stars in the game who did not make the stat sheet. Wiggins on the draw circle was extraordinary snagging airballs and ground balls, while Jones went to her sprinting strength when clearing the ball.
“Tell Coach B [Tim Bamforth] that all that track sprinting helped me tonight,” Jones said. “People tell me I remind them of Taylor Gooch when she played at Cape.”
Cape seniors Lindsay D’Ambrogi (three goals and two assists) and Lulu Rishko (three goals) along with junior Claire Lopez (two goals and one assist) led the scoring production for Cape.
The freshmen trio of Haley Gamuciello (two goals) and Mairead Rishko and Ally Diehl (one goal each) rounded out Cape’s scoring.
The Tatnall Hornets closed out the season with a record of 16-2, which included their fourth straight appearance in the state championship game. They were led by Charlotte Wilkinson (three goals), Leighton Houston (two goals) and Jordan Bartels, Medelyn Farwell and Paige Hiller (one goal each).
The team state championship marked the sixth for Cape coach Lindsey Underwood, who took over from PJ Kesmodel in 2017. The Zen Master won eight straight state championships for Cape before retiring after the 2016 season.
