Riders beat Cape again to advance to state final

“If you want to play catch-up, grill a hamburger."

The Cape boys' lacrosse team, 13-5, showed up 22 minutes late and 5 goals short in the May 22 semifinals of the DIAA lacrosse tournament at Milford’s Briggs Stadium versus  archrival Caesar Rodney.

"We were down 5 goals before we started moving, especially on offense and ground balls," said coach Jack Lingo. "We played catch-up the entire game, and they’re a good team with a goalie who had a great game.”

Cape could not get closer than 2 goals down as the Riders made the plays down the stretch for an 11-8 victory and a berth in the state championship game opposite Salesianum at Appoquinimink at 2 p.m., Saturday, May 25.

Matt Kane picked up a rebound and backhanded a shot past goalie Johnmichael Smith to put Cape on the board with 1:42 left in the first half.

The Riders scored on their first possession of the third quarter to make the score 6-1, and Cape finally got its offense cranking but trailed 10-5 entering the final period.

The Cape team and large crowd came alive in the fourth quarter as the Vikings scored 3 straight goals to close to 10-8 with 4:31 remaining - a goal, face-off possession and score away from tying up the ball game.

But a couple of ill-advised shots and a turnover resulting in a fast-break goal for the Riders sealed the 11-8 victory for Caesar Rodney.

Matt Kane and Blake Mann each scored 3 goals for Cape while Todd Keen and Luke Benson each scored a goal.