Heartbreak Ridge: Cape girls' lax falls to Queen Anne's 10-9

Another kick in the head for the Cape girls' lacrosse team, which fell at home to Queen Anne’s County on a sun-drenched April 26 afternoon, 10-9.

The loss was the third in a row for the Vikings following losses April 12 and 17 to Manheim Township (31-12 overtime) and Worcester Prep (10-8). Those three teams have a combined record of 35-4.

“We are facing our toughest schedule playing some great out-of-state teams and lost three games we were in position to win," said coach P.J. Kesmodel after the game.  “But the last two games we turned the ball over 15 times in each game, and our shooting percentage is atrocious, and you can’t beat good teams doing that kind of thing. This team has to prove they can not only play well in big games but win them. So far we haven’t done that.”

Cape outshot Queen Anne’s 25-20 but got hurt on the draw and gave up six goals on fast breaks and free positions.

The game was tied at 3 at halftime as Sarah Tappan with 2 and Allie Yeager rang the bell for the Vikings.

Elaine Draper, Kallie German and Dorrie MacGregor scored first-half goals for the Lions. Cape fell behind 6-4 in the second half then was down 7-5 and 8-6.

But Allie Yeager (3 goals and 3 assists) and a Lexi Woodruff feed to Sarah Tappan tied the game at 8 with 7:02 left to play.

But two draw controls that resulted in a free position and fast break for the Lions extended the lead to 10-8 with 3:22 left to play.

Lizzie Frederick scooped a rebounded shot past goalie Courtney Baker to bring the Vikings to within 10-9 with 2:58 to play.

The Lions ran the clock but Cape forced a turnover. Jordan Brown went to her right and hit the pipe; later Karalyn Joseph would be called for a charge while Cape had a two-person advantage. And still Cape had one last shot as Lizzie Frederick drew a foul with 4 seconds remaining.

The free position shot just caught the goalie’s foot and rolled slowly, tantalizingly close past the pipe.

"We play Polytech [7-1] on Tuesday [April 29], one of the best teams in Delaware, then on Friday host Bishop Ireton, one of the best teams in the D.C. area with an 11-4 record but they play a powerhouse schedule," said Kesmodel.

Cape goals were scored Yeager 3, Judge 2, Tappan 2, Brown 1 and Frederick 1.

Queen Anne goals were German 4, Draper 2, Macgregor 1, Hanna Scott 1, McKenna Blick 1, and Anna O’Donnell 1.

Sam Broadhurst had 9 saves for the Vikings while Courtney Baker was credited with 10 saves for the Lions.