Appo’s four-goal third quarter does in Cape 7-6
Everyone in the stands knew it was going to be a tight game when last year’s DIAA finalist Appoquinimink faced off against the unbeaten Cape boys’ lacrosse team on the Legends Stadium turf April 7. When the final buzzer sounded, the Jags had taken a 7-6 win back to Middletown.
The Jaguars played hard-nosed, smash-mouth lacrosse, but the Vikings responded by showing they could be physical too, as defensemen Holden Kammerer, Liam Zolper, Dillon Mocci, Robbie Neal, Brooks Buck, Timmy Kelley and Sean Grahne put a few of the Jags’ short sticks on the turf, shutting out the state’s second-ranked team in the first quarter.
“The defense set a good tone for us throughout the game,” said Cape coach Mark D’Ambrogi. “They are playing fast and are always looking to turn defense into offense.”
Cape outshot the Jags 10-1 in the first quarter, getting scores from Greg Boyce, Jaycob Trimmer and Evan Gehman. Appo kept it close, though, going into halftime down 4-2.
The Vikings finished with a 30-15 shot advantage. Trimmer and Gehman scored twice, while Boyce and Patrick Monigle each had one goal. Luke D’Ambrogi tallied three assists, while Boyce and Monigle each had one helper.
The third quarter found the Vikings plagued by turnovers, and the Jags took advantage of those errors.
“We had opportunities early, but didn’t finish. We took care of the ball in the first half better than we did in the second half,” said coach D’Ambrogi. “Late in the game, we didn’t keep our composure like we should have.”
Appo attackman Cross Ferrara scored three goals in the third quarter. Jackson Truitt also scored, and Appo took a 6-5 lead.
Cape sophomore attackman Luke D’Ambrogi found Gehman to tie the game at six with just under eight minutes remaining.
Coach D’Ambrogi gave his goalie props for his play in the game.
“Brendan [Kane] kept us in the game and set it up for us to try to win with his saves,” he said.
He finished the contest with eight stops in the cage.
Zach Bowen then put the game in the win column for the Jags on a shot at 2:21 left in the contest.
The Vikings had the last possession, but they could not get a shot off. The loss drops the Vikings to 4-1, while the Jags move to 4-0.
“We’ve got to keep our composure late in the game,” said D’Ambrogi.
The Vikings will host Stephen Decatur Monday, April 10, at 7 p.m.
