Athletes of the Week May 3
Ana-Lyatwice Gaston
A Milford sophomore playing second singles, Lya had a big win April 26 at home versus Cape. As reported by longtime Milford teacher/soccer coach Ed Evans, “Lya’s mother loved watching tennis but was never able to play herself; as a result, she wanted her children to learn to play. So at 5 years old, Lya picked up a racket and started taking lessons at the Vivy Mitchell Tennis Club in Port-au Prince, Haiti. Last Friday, Lya improved her record to 7-0. She considers Friday’s match against Cape’s Rachel Ramjattansingh her toughest match. The first set was a battle that went to a tiebreaker, where she prevailed 6-6 (7-5), and Lya then won the second set 6-1.” Milford’s coach Jamie Morales said, “Her dedication to the game is seen every day at practice, as she polishes her craft, always working to reach the next level. Every match day, she rallies up the team to support those at play, easing the tension of competitive play and making match days more fun.” Lya lost to Ava Vu of Caesar Rodney April 29. The Riders are 11-0 and haven’t lost a single game all season.
Katherine Rossi
This Cape sophomore honors student scored two goals in two minutes in the Vikings’ 3-0 shutout win over a tough Sussex Central squad April 30. Her first goal was a showing of great intestinal fortitude, as she battled through a crowd of six Golden Knights defenders to put the ball in the net and break the scoreless tie at the 70-minute mark. She followed up two minutes later with another goal on an assist from Ava Brown. "Katie is a happy-go-lucky kid that works really hard," said Cape head coach Patrick Kilby. "She’s not afraid to speak her mind, and she is well respected by her teammates." A member of the National Honor Society at Cape, Katherine is also involved in Cape theater classes, and she even has taken the talents she’s learned the past four years to work at the Clear Space Theatre Company in Rehoboth Beach. She recently performed the part of Cruella de Vil in the Clear Space production of Disney’s “Descendants.”
Anderson Smith
Anderson is a quiet, proficient, efficient attacker on the 10-2 Cape lacrosse team. He is steady and solid. He had a crucial goal in Cape’s 10-9 overtime win April 30 at Wilmington Friends. Anderson has four hat tricks this season and 19 total goals. He has scored goals against the best teams on Cape’s schedule, including LaSalle, The Hill School, Broadneck and Wilmington Friends. Getting 19 goals as part of a good team loaded with scorers requires sharing the ball and burying shots when your number is called. Look for Anderson Smith to ring the bell in upcoming big home games against Archmere and Salesianum, then in the playoffs when the unsung players begin to get noticed. Coach Geoff Shupard said, “Anderson is right-handed attack; [he] also plays on man-up. I really like how far he has come since arriving at Cape. He has quick hands, which helps our offense move the ball efficiently and gives him the ability to get shots off very fast when we need it.”
Mason Trench
Most lacrosse goalies are like track sprinters, who only hit top speed when really racing. Cape sophomore lacrosse goalie Mason Trench saves his quick-twitch personality and physicality for game day. At unbeaten Wilmington Friends April 30, Mason was locked in early, making eight real-deal saves in the first period on his way to a personal-best 17 saves in a 10-9 overtime win. Goalies are different cats – the good ones save their best efforts for the biggest games. Cape is now 10-2 on the season. Mason had 13 saves in a 17-16 loss to The Hill School and 10 saves in a 15-9 loss to LaSalle. Cape will face Salesianum at home Tuesday, May 14. Sallies is currently ranked No. 4 in the nation. It will be Mason’s third time facing Salesianum. Jeff Trench, Mason’s dad, was Cape’s goalie in 1995 when the Vikings lost to Sallies in the state final 12-6. Coach Geoff Shupard is a former goalie at Limestone, while assistant Franc Cook was between the pipes in 2008 for a state title and was a four-year starter at University of Lynchburg.
