Cape alumni lacrosse game starts right on time 20 minutes late

Score kept on field, but slate wiped clean after each quarter

Alumni and current players get together for a group photo at the alumni lacrosse game Nov. 26. In back are (l-r) Mason Trench, Eric Uffelman, Luke D’Ambrogi, Mason Jack, Brooks Leonhartt, Matt Prestipino, Adam Tekman, David Adili-Khams, Jack Schell, Brady Mauro, Joe Coveleski, Burke Healy, Eric Stankofski, Trevor Reed, Marcello Orsini, Brenner Short, Landon Cieniewicz, CJ Callaway and Hank Coveleski. In front are Jeff Trench, Mikey Frederick, Jaxson Holgerson, Pierce Conway, Ryan Morgan, Aidan Wyatt, Patrick Healy, Grant Conway, Finbar Rishko, Hank D’Ambrogi, Tate Mauro, Marshall Keys and Patrick Little. DAVE FREDERICK PHOTOS

Dave Frederick

December 2, 2025

Indian summer was fitting weather for an alumni lacrosse game Nov. 26, as the sport was invented by Native Americans. The weather was downright balmy at the beach. The game started at 11 a.m., but had more of a wherever-you-can-get-there urgency, featuring a cast of unnumbered anonymous characters who are all Cape connected and all of whom can play the fastest game on two feet brought to Cape 50 years ago by Milt Roberts.

Jeff Trench, Cape Class of 1995, now the Delaware Sports Media guy, left his digital devices at home in favor of his goalie stick. Trench was the goalie on the 1995 team that went to the finals, losing 12-6 to Salesianum. His son Mason is returning starter in goal for Cape, but he’s more notable as a primetime player on the unified flag football team that just won the state championship. He’s also wrestled.

Late in the game, Mikey Frederick, a senior captain for the Division I Mercer Bears, had a breakaway, bearing down on Jeff Trench. A deke and dunk goal was followed by a deep breath from Trench.

“Thanks for not shooting a 100 mph shot at my chest,” Jeff said to Frederick after the game.

The game was four running-clock quarters. Players knew the score by quarter, and the slate was wiped clean before the next quarter commenced. Coach Geoff Shupard was the solo ref and timekeeper.

There was some showboating from behind-the-back shots to waving goodbye to the victim of a roll dodge, but mostly it was subtle sportsmanship.

There were many alumni from the 645, 227 and 684 area codes who looked at the bedside holiday alarm clock and roll dodged away from it.

Shupard said the players were split by odd and even graduating years, and then moved around to even out the numbers. Players were almost exactly half alumni and half current players.

“Everyone had a lot of fun,” Shupard said. “And it was great seeing all the guys get together and keep this tradition going. I’m always amazed and humbled at how deep this family goes.”

The 2026 Cape team is once again expected to be in the mix this spring, always chasing a championship. Anyone taking a behind-the-back shot better make it or they will be bounced to the bench.