Cape boys' lax closes out regular season with two big wins

Vikings down Auks on Senior Night, defeats IR for Henlopen crown

Cape celebrated the Class of 2026 with a 19-3 victory over Archmere. Shown are (l-r) Nolan Moore, Mason Trench, Mathew Popovich, Jeremy Bila, Eric Uffelman, Grant Conway, Conor Garman, Braddock Smith, Brooks Leonhartt, Ryan Morgan, David Adili-Khams, Brenner Short and Mason Jack. DAN COOK PHOTOS

The Vikings go onto the turf for the seniors' final regular-season game at Legends Stadium.

Cape sophomore long pole Jaxson Holgerson clears the ball for the Vikings.

Ryan Morgen gets separation, shoots and scores.

Cape sophomore Channing Smith gets ready to crank the rock.

Cape's Mason Jack, right, battles for possession with Archmere's Owen Kates.

Sophomore Patrick Healy sets up a play for the Vikings.

Cape sophomore AJ Grapski dodges past the Auks' Henry Hahn.

Cape sophomore AJ Grapski shoots and scores.

Channing Smith wins another face-off for the Vikings.

Braddock Smith dodges past the Auks' Mark Mervine.

Cape senior Braddock Smith goes to goal.

AJ Grapski shoots and scores.

Cape sophomore Channing Smith shoots and scores.

Cape senior goalie Mason Trench holds his pipe.

Cape senior Mathew Popovich celebrates his goal.

Cape senior Mathew Popovich was honored a halftime with a certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action from the American Red Cross for his selfless action of using lifesaving skills that saved a drowning man. Shown are (l-r) father Dean, mother Jackie, Mathew and Stacey Lucibello from the Red Cross.

Head coach Geoff Shupard and the rest of the team congratulates Mathew Popovich after the presentation from the Red Cross.

Cape senior Mathew Popovich dodges past an IR defender. JEFF TRENCH PHOTO

Cape senior Eric Uffelman speeds the ball upfield on a clear. JEFF TRENCH PHOTO

Cape senior David Adili-Khams looks to go to goal. JEFF TRENCH PHOTO

The Cape team poses with the Henlopen Conference Championship Trophy. JEFF TRENCH PHOTO

The Cape seniors pose with the Henlopen Conference Championship trophy. JEFF TRENCH PHOTO

Cape sophomore Channing Smith gets cross checked

Dan Cook

May 18, 2026

Event Date:

Sun, 05/17/2026 - 03:14 pm

The Vikings go onto the turf for the seniors' final regular-season game at Legends Stadium.

Cape sophomore long pole Jaxson Holgerson clears the ball for the Vikings.

Ryan Morgen gets separation, shoots and scores.

Cape sophomore Channing Smith gets ready to crank the rock.

Cape's Mason Jack, right, battles for possession with Archmere's Owen Kates.

Sophomore Patrick Healy sets up a play for the Vikings.

Cape sophomore AJ Grapski dodges past the Auks' Henry Hahn.

Cape sophomore AJ Grapski shoots and scores.

Channing Smith wins another face-off for the Vikings.

Braddock Smith dodges past the Auks' Mark Mervine.

Cape senior Braddock Smith goes to goal.

AJ Grapski shoots and scores.

Cape sophomore Channing Smith shoots and scores.

Cape senior goalie Mason Trench holds his pipe.

Cape senior Mathew Popovich celebrates his goal.

Head coach Geoff Shupard and the rest of the team congratulates Mathew Popovich after the presentation from the Red Cross.

Cape senior Mathew Popovich dodges past an IR defender. JEFF TRENCH PHOTO

Cape senior Eric Uffelman speeds the ball upfield on a clear. JEFF TRENCH PHOTO

Cape senior David Adili-Khams looks to go to goal. JEFF TRENCH PHOTO

The Cape team poses with the Henlopen Conference Championship Trophy. JEFF TRENCH PHOTO

The Cape seniors pose with the Henlopen Conference Championship trophy. JEFF TRENCH PHOTO

Cape sophomore Channing Smith gets cross checked

The Cape boys' lacrosse team blasted past Archmere 19-3 on Senior Night May 15, then added another Henlopen Conference Championship to its legacy the next day with a 22-1 win over Indian River. The Vikings outscored their last three opponents 55-9.

Nine separate Vikings had goals in the win over Archmere.

Brenner Short and Grant Conway each had four goals, with Short helping on two. Mathew Popovich, Carter Nemcic, AJ Grapski and Braddock Smith each had two goals, with Grapski getting two assists. Ryan Morgan, Max Wyshock and Pierce Conway each had one goal, with Morgan, Smith, Popovich, Grady Trivits and Channing Smith garnering one helper apiece.

Goalies Mason Trench and Patrick Little each saved five scoring attempts.

"We have a good rivalry with Archmere, and I thought the boys played fast and played well," said coach Geoff Shupard. "Our shooting is getting better and the defense continues to be solid, so I think we are moving in a good direction."

In the Henlopen Conference Championship against IR, Grant Conway hit the twine five times. He also picked up two assists. Short tallied three goals and two assists. Popovich scored twice and had a helper.

Liam Crotty, David Adili Khams, Carter Nemcic, Max Wyshock, Pierce Conway, Marshall Keys, Braddock Smith, Grady Trivits and Channing Smith each had a goal.

Ryan Morgan and Patrick Healy each had an assist.

"I’m very proud of these guys to turn around so fast and play a good game against a much-improved Indian River team that has put up a lot of goals this year," Shupard said. "It was a good win, and we are looking forward to getting back to work on Monday to get ready for the postseason."

"It's definitely exciting coming off three positives," said Grant Conway. "I think it motivates us to really stay hungry throughout the playoffs and win from here on out."

The Vikings earned the No. 2 seed for the DIAA state tournament. They open the tournament against Tatnall at 7 p.m., Tuesday, May 19, at Legends Stadium.