Cape boys’ lax escapes Sanford 16-15 in semis
“Make no mistake. It’s not revenge he’s after, it’s a reckoning.” - Doc Holliday, “Tombstone.”
Cape’s semifinal game against Sanford May 25 ended with a 16-15 Cape victory, and coach Mark D’Ambrogi told his team: “Just go over and visit your families. The last time we were here we just got on the bus. Go share this moment with them.”
The Vikings lost at Sanford 11-10 in the final seconds of their May 8 matchup. They did not leave their game on the field that day, but felt their best game never showed up.
Roll all the psychology aside on a picturesque and perfect afternoon. The Warriors came out onto their home field and jumped on top 6-1 early in the second period. But the score at the half was 8-8. Hank D’Ambrogi told his teammates, “We just ran a 7-2 number on them. That's what we can do. Let’s keep it up, boys!”
Late in the fourth quarter with the score tied at 14-14, Jaden Davis ripped home his third goal of the game for a 15-14 Cape advantage. And later, Gabe Best intercepted a goalie clearing pass and dumped the ball back into an open net for a two-goal cushion, 16-14.
“I honestly didn’t know the ball was in my stick. I was the most surprised person on the field,” Best said.
Sanford responded to bring the score to 16-15 with less than two minutes on the clock.
The Basement Boys of Cape’s state championship wrestling team were crucial to the victory: C.J. Fritchman on face-offs, Carson Kammerer coming on as relief in goal and Mikey Frederick with a wrap check, ball-down-on-the-ground, pick-it-up-and-let’s-run-out-the-clock-and-get-back-to-the-beach forced turnover in the final minute of the one-goal game.
Cape’s 16 goals came from Best with four; Davis and D’Ambrogi each with three; and Blake Gipko, Jack Schell and Frederick each with two.
Cape assists were D’Ambrogi with three, Best with two, and Frederick and Davis each with one.
The Sanford frontline players all delivered and played well.
Goal scorers were: Collin Campbell with five, Tim Lucky with four, Devon Lucky and James Gaylor with two each, and Richard Christopher and Reid Farmer with one apiece.
Cape saves in goal were Michael Sposato with two and Kammerer with four.
Cameron Taylor had nine saves for the Warriors.
Cape is scheduled to play Salesianum for the state championship at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 27, at Dover High School.
