Cape girls’ lacrosse rocks Smyrna 18-2

One hundred and three wins in a row for the Cape lacrosse girls’ team against Delaware opponents. This milestone comes after an 18-2 win over the Smyrna Eagles April 5. It was “next coach up.” Gone are P.J. Kesmodel and Richard Collins. Now, new mother Lindsay Eichner has a baby boy, and six weeks  of maternity leave have commenced for her.

Jenna Burkhart is acting head coach, with Leigh Rupar at her side. Both know the system. Both were lacrosse players. Both are teachers by day and coaches by later day. The players like them. Let the games begin.

The Eagles came into the game with a four-game winning streak, but were no match for a solid systematic assault by a skilled Cape team that ran to a 12-1 halftime lead then cruised home for the victory.

Cailey Thornburg scored six goals in the game - the sixth being her 100th career goal. Thornburg has been on the field the last three state championship games, and she plays her best during the biggest games.

“I remember all the big goals, the ones that changed or won games,” Cailey said.  “I remember scoring two as a freshman against Bishop Ireton, sending the game into overtime. And there was a goal with a second to go before half on a pass from Lizzie Frederick in the state championship game against Polytech that turned the game.”

Katie Klabe and Chloe Schaeffer each had three-goal hat tricks while Lindsey Monigle scored two. Mary Grace Cannon, Mallory Jones, Victoria Lockwood and Alia Marshall each scored a goal.

Assists were recorded by Thornburg (3), Schaeffer and Monigle (2); and Klabe and Eddie Shoop (1).

Izzy Cryne went the distance in goal, recording five saves.

Freshman Emma Mayew had both goals for Smyrna. Katelynn Porter had three saves for the Eagles.

Cape moves into the grinder playing at Saint Mary’s of Annapolis at 1 p.m., Saturday, April 8, then at Stephen Decatur at 5:30 p.m., Monday, April 10.