For Cape boys’ lacrosse, every practice is game day
Every practice is game day for Cape boys’ lacrosse, and it’s been that way since Cape launched the first program for a public school in Delaware 45 years ago. And so it’s no surprise that March 6, when all teams stayed inside per new DIAA guidelines for cold-weather practices, the Vikings spread out on the turf at Legends and Champions stadiums for a hip-hop, let’s-keep-moving practice.
“It’s really not that bad out here,” said head coach Mark D’Ambrogi, who has been with the Cape program as an assistant or head coach for 23 years.
Cape has won state titles in 1998 under coach Steve Aubrey, then in 2001, 2002, 2006 and 2008 under the direction of D’Ambrogi. The last in 2014 was when Jack Lingo was head coach.
Cape has lost in the state championship game four times, in 1995, 2000, 2015 and 2017.
Salesianum goes into each season as the team to beat. The Sals have won 10 state titles since 1995, including the last four in a row and seven of the last eight.
The state tournament for boys’ lacrosse was first contested in 1993. Tatnall, under coach Lee Edgar, won the first two titles.
Cape lists nine coaches on its website, including D’Ambrogi and Lingo along with Joe Cahill, Spencer Steele, Geoff Shupard, Nick Scroggs, Jack Stang, Brad Bivens and James Ruback.
Last season, the Vikings were 14-4, losing in the semifinals to Salesianum 11-6.
The mission each season is to play a tough out-of-state schedule. Last season the Vikings played the Bullis School and South River from Maryland.
Cape will sports new blue helmets with white stripes this spring that have an aerodynamic look to them.
The Vikings are deep with 10 seniors and are big on defense.
Cape has three scrimmages before opening the season Saturday, March 23, at the Bullis School. Bullis finished the season ranked No. 10 in the country last year and returns the nucleus of that team for 2019.
