Powerhouse play day propels Cape girls’ lax into tough opening schedule
An idyllic Friday afternoon March 15 on Lewes Beach, balmy weather, no wind, no bugs and few people. Cape was closed after a half-day in-service.
The Manchester Valley girls’ lacrosse team, a Maryland 2A undefeated state champion in 2023, was low-key practicing on the beach as coaches sat on the sand absorbing a postcard-perfect beach day.
The next day, Manchester would face Cape in a 9 a.m. game of 40 minutes. Glenelg and Dulaney, out of Maryland and Bishop Shanahan, a West Chester, Pa. power program, would complete the field of top-tier lax teams with a theme: “lax or get waxed.”
Cape in 2024 is a deep team, blending experience and youth. The Vikings played a mixed and matched lineup over five hours, which included 16 quarters of 10-minute running clock.
Coach Lindsay Underwood: “We played some great competition throughout our four scrimmages Saturday against some top talent in the area. The team was able to get better each scrimmage, which is what we are looking for in these large play days. Our senior leaders combined with some young talent started making connections and seeing each other all over the field. I was able to see some players step into different roles than last year and find success, which is promising for the season. We open with a tough Broadneck team next Saturday, so we have to keep building on the increase in speed of play and team defense we saw this past weekend.”
Anna Lopez and Lulu Rishko will lead the way for the senior-laden Vikings. Lopez, committed to William and Mary, returns as an all-state goalie, while Rishko, committed to Virginia Tech, is the fluid druid marauding midfielder.
Cape will host Maryland powerhouse Broadneck at 1 p.m., Saturday, March 23. Cape won at Broadneck 12-11 last season. All goal scorers from that game return for 2024.
Cape will host Queen Anne’s County at 6:15 p.m., Tuesday, March 26. Last season, Cape beat Queen Anne’s 13-12. All goal scorers from that game also return.
Cape’s killer schedule to open the season continues Friday, April 5, at Kent Island and Saturday, April 6, versus Marriotts Ridge at Kent Island High School.
Cape’s JV team has a 13-game schedule. The girls will play Broadneck March 23 at 11:30 a.m., face the Seahawks at Stephen Decatur Monday, March 25, then play at home versus Queen Anne’s March 26. The JV has a few swing players who may split time with varsity squad depending on opponents. Many of Cape’s top players started their high school careers as swing players.
