The Cape boys’ lacrosse team saw the finish line but couldn't get home June 3 in Dover, losing 13-11 to Salesianum in the state championship game. 

That was the Vikings’ third two-goal loss in a row to Salesianum in the quest for a state title.

“I’m proud of our team and the great season we had,” said first-year head coach Geoff Shupard, who was on the first Cape team to win a state title in 1998. “The game had a lot of twists and turns and emotional moments.”

Cape’s Joe Coveleski scored off an assist from Michael Guenther to thrust Cape into a 10-8 lead with 11 minutes left to play. But Cape lost 19 of 26 face-offs over the course of four quarters, which proved to be a problem at close-out time. 

Sallies tied the game at 10-10 with 7:42 left to play on goals by Luca Pompeii and Ryan Cunningham. 

Sallies scored two more goals, as Chase Black scored the go-ahead goal with 5:47 to play.

Rowyn Nurry and Elliott Dotson scored goals to complete a 5-0 unanswered streak. 

Sallies led 13-10 with 1:08 remaining. A Coveleski late goal made the final score 13-11.  

Salesianum stymied and slowed down the Cape offense by face guarding and denying leading scorer Jack Schell access to the ball. Schell often drew a beat-and-bang double team when he did get possession.

Coveleski scored four goals while Jayden Cannon and Luke Burton each scored twice. Brexton Carter, Guenther and Cody Trivits also scored for Cape.

Cape freshman goalie Mason Trench played spectacularly, as Sallies threw 35 shots at his goal cage. 

Salesianum scoring was led by Nurry with four goals, while Pompeii, Dotson and Chase Black each had three goals. 

Cape graduates 14 seniors from the 2023 team. Salesianum graduates nine seniors.

Salesianum is 6-3 versus Cape in state finals.