Cape hockey beats Delmar 3-1 in prime-time showdown
Anna and Ali - sounds better than Frederick and Yeager - are frontline attack mates off the Cape lacrosse team that posted an 18-0 mark last season and won its fourth straight state championship. The pair of 5-foot-9 bookends combined for 112 goals and a bevy of assists. If there’s a cage guarded by a goalie, this tandem knows where it’s at.
On Sept. 25 in front a full house, rocking crowd on the sprint turf of Cape’s Champions Stadium, Frederick sent home an insertion pass from Alex Coverdale from high up top with 2:20 left in a scoreless first half that gave Cape a 1-0 halftime lead over the always-scratching-and-clawing Delmar Wildcats. Delmar came into the game 5-0, having outscored opponents 30-0.
“The play wasn’t set up for me; it just ended up on my stick. There was no one open, so I sent it toward the goal," Frederick said. "I honestly was totally surprised it made it all the way into the goal.”
Frederick lost her shoe on the play, picked it up and joyously carried it back to the midfield.
The second half saw the Vikings strike quickly as Ali Yeager - a slap-shot specialist - sent a sizzler across the goal mouth from right to left, producing a loud thud at 28:21 and signaling 2-0 Cape. A minute and change later at 27:29, it was "Anna to Ali" for another goal and a 3-0 Cape advantage.
Delmar’s leading scorer Sara Ellis made a house call off a corner from Shaina Thompson with 1:09 left in the game, signaling “catch you guys next time.”
"That was the best total game we have played all season," coach Kate Windett said after the game. "My players in the back [Karissa Lemaire, Tiara Duffy, Alex Coverdale, Maggie Delp] were just incredible, and Katie [Kolobielski] in goal played really great.”
The players in the middle of the field were responsible for giving Cape a 12-6 advantage in shots and 9-6 edge on corners.
“I felt we are really in shape and we know how to get back and tackle when we need to," said Sara Young.
Izzie Delario commented, “Both teams were very strong physically, but it becomes mental and making good decisions under pressure when you’re tired. I felt we were able to do that.”
"The first goal was really important,” said Camryn Bernheimer. "It gives you an advantage both ways, pressuring them to have to score the next one.”
“I told our team to keep working hard because you will see them again, and they will only get better, but so will we,” said Windett.
Cape is set to play at 4 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 27, at Sussex Tech and will next host Bloomsburg High School at noon, Saturday, Sept. 29.
Cape won the junior varsity game 8-0 by outshooting Delmar 25-0. Goal scorers were Rebecca Sponaugle 2, Sydney Ostroski 2, Erin Coverdale, Lizzie Frederick, Jose Melson and Maddie Irwin. Assists were credited to Ostroski, Lexi Gooch 2, Coverdale and Morgan Catts.
