Battle at the Beach kicks off semi-serious lax for local squads

Following the always trying first week of spring sports, Cape and Sussex Academy girls’ lacrosse teams represented the First State in the Battle at the Beach held March 8 at Stephen Decatur.

“I think we played pretty well for it just being our second day together as a team after deciding teams and tryouts this week,” said Cape captain Lina Frederick. “The competition was great out there today, so it's nice to see live play and play different teams within the first week.”

As they try to replace a staggering baker’s dozen of seniors lost to graduation, the pre-season play day allowed Cape coach Lindsey Underwood to see who she can rely on and in what roles during the season.

“We're putting kids in positions they didn't play last year, and we're trying new combinations and stuff like that,” Underwood said. “For the most part, it was a great day for us; we got better as the day went on, and when we were making the connections, it looked really good.”

Cape ended the day 3-0-1, beating Stephen Decatur (6-4), Sussex Academy (8-6), Strath Haven (11-4) and tying Leonardtown (7-7).

“We have such a new team this year, and we had so many good connections,” said Cape captain Macy Steinwedel. “We're doing so many good things that you wouldn’t expect us to be doing this early in the season.”

Underwood knows there is still work to be done, but thinks the girls are meshing well early on.

“It's all timing on our runner cuts and our feeds – leading passes, knowing who goes for the ball and where, knowing where the draw goes,” Underwood said. “Top down, we just need to get together and get our timing on point.”

Underwood noted that in addition to the outstanding play of her two senior captains, sophomores Ally Diehl and Mairead Rishko contributed in a major way. Cape was strong on the defensive end too, averaging just over five goals in the eight-minute running-clock quarter games.

“I was really impressed with how well our defense went together, and they crashed when they needed to,” Underwood said.

Game notes

• Claire Lopez scored twice in the Vikings’ opening game against Stephen Decatur, a 6-4 victory
• Rishko scored twice as Cape needed to come back a few times to defeat Sussex Academy 8-6
• Steinwedel scored four goals in the 11-4 win over Strath Haven
• Lopez and Rishko each scored a pair in the 7-7 tie with Leonardtown.

Sussex Academy kicked off its preseason play against Cape, the team that knocked them out of the 2024 DIAA semifinals.

“Nice to see people in different positions and getting that competition; we definitely got to see some things that we need to work on the next two weeks before our first game of the season,” said Seahawks coach Taylor Gibbs. “We also saw some really big strengths that our team has that we’re excited to emphasize.”

The Seahawks started fast against Cape, jumping out to a 2-1 lead after the first quarter, but found themselves down 4-2 at halftime. Sussex Academy led 6-4 to start the final frame, but lost 8-6.

Following a 6-3 rebound win against Stephen Decatur, Sussex Academy dropped its third game, 6-3, to Leonardtown before finishing strong with a 10-6 victory over Strath Haven and ending the day with a 2-2 record.

“Liz Layton stepped up a ton in a lot of the games today,” Gibbs said. “Shea Danahy ran some midfield today, which was new for her. Usually she's on our attacking end, so to see her play defense against the teams was really nice. Ellie Merrick, Shelby Manlove and Emiley Bisaha all stepped up.”

Gibbs said varsity newcomers Reilly Mobilia and Meredith Schiff also fared well in game action.

Game notes

• Bisaha netted a hat trick and Merrick scored twice in the 8-6 loss to Cape
• Layton had a hat trick and Bisaha tallied a brace in the 6-3 win over Decatur
• Manlove struck five times in the 11-4 win over Strath Haven, and Bisaha and Layton each scored twice.