Cape beats Sussex Academy 19-3, will face Tower Hill in final

Cape girls’ lacrosse defeated visiting Sussex Academy May 29, by a score of 19-3 in the semifinals of the DIAA state tournament. The Vikings are 16-0 in semifinal games since 2009 on the way to 14 state championships. 

Sussex Academy, under coach Taylor Gooch Gibbs, has reached the semifinal the last three seasons before losing to Cape. 

Gibbs, a former Cape and Temple player, previously informed her team that she had taken a job with the Cape school district for the 2025-26 school year. 

“Sussex Academy always comes in so confident and composed,” said Cape coach Lindsey Underwood. “We expected a zone defense, but they played man. The change-up caused us problems early.”

Cape will face Tower Hill at noon, Saturday, May 31 at Caesar Rodney. The Cape boys will play Salesianum on the same day at the same venue at 3 p.m. One ticket is good for both games.

Cape has beaten Tower Hill five times in semifinal games and two times in the final in 2013 and 2016. The teams have not met in the regular season since 2017.   

Vikings goal scorers versus the Seahawks were Alley Diehl with five, Macy Steinwedel with four, Regan Best and Haley Gamuciello with two each and single goals by Mackenzie Todd, Avary Miller, Claire Lopez, Amara Fruchtman and Mikaela Gordon. 

Lopez had six assists, while Steinwedel and Lina Frederick each had one.

Goalie Abigail Schaeffer had seven saves. 

Scoring for Sussex Academy were Elizabeth Merrick, Shea Danahy and June Hale. 

Morgan Leeper was credited with three saves. 

Cape goalie coach Bruce Libieu said prior to the season: “Success will come down to how our defense develops. Abbey Schaeffer in goal is ready to go.”

Fronting Abbey helping her protect the house are Quinn Nutter, Madison Mark, Miller and Fruchtman.