The Cape soccer team took a giant step to control its own destiny in the Henlopen Conference with a 3-2 win over Caesar Rodney Oct. 16, at Cape’s Legends Stadium. 

With Cape behind 1-0 in the first 20 minutes, Brenner Short took a pass from Logan Cortijo and headed it past CR keeper Logan Simmons to knot the game at 1-1.

Cape struck first in the second half when Lawson Whaley took a perfectly placed pass from Carter Matarazzi and booted it past Simmons for a 2-1 lead. 

“Carter [Matarazzi] put the pass right to my foot in front of the cage,” said Whaley. “I just smashed it away. It was a great pass, and I was able to finish it off.”

The euphoria didn’t last long, as the Riders needed just two minutes to tie the game on a Brody Hinkle tally past Cape’s Anton Schierenberg. 

With fans expecting the game to go into overtime, Schierenberg placed a direct kick from 58 yards out on the head of Austin Tyndall, who hit the back of the twine to give the Vikings their 10th win of the season, with North games against Sussex Central and Dover left on the schedule. 

“Coach told me to just kick it at the American flag,” said Schierenberg. “It went right to his head for the game-winner.”

“We went into the game knowing that they were going to be fast and dangerous up top,” said Cape coach Patrick Kilby. “We played with a double-six formation to hold down the midfield. We were under fire for the first 15 minutes but weathered the storm. We responded well and ended up getting the win.”

The Riders outshot Cape 9-7 and held a 7-4 edge in corners. 

Cape goalie Schierenberg stopped seven shots, while CR’s Simmons made four saves.