Cape lacrosse warmed up with a freestyle supercollider, high-flyer dancing routine before the game versus Salesianum April 12 at Wesley College. Salesianum responded in kind. The atmosphere was all psych and hype.
The stands were packed. The rain stayed away. The weather was balmy, and electricity was in the air. You could hear it snapping.
The Vikings got off early, leading 3-0 in the first period, then 5-0 in the second quarter.
“We had experienced guys out there who have been in the moment,” said Cape coach Mark D’Ambrogi. “And when Sallies made their run, we didn’t panic. We just stayed in the moment and did our jobs.“
Cape jumped in front and stayed there the entire game, winning 12-8.
Sallies fought back from a 6-2 halftime deficit to trail 9-8 in the fourth quarter, when the game was interrupted for a siren delay. The Vikings responded with goals from Adem Tekmen, Jack Dennis and Luke D’Ambrogi for the win. The regular-season loss to an in-state rival was the first for Salesianum in over a decade.
Captain Billy Ott shared a quote he read “somewhere” after the game: “Captains show up when the coach needs them. Leaders show up when the team needs them.” And Billy added, “Senior year, we beat Smyrna in wrestling and Sallies in lacrosse; that’s pretty cool.”
Ott had his hands full with Sallies face-off man Mathew Riley, who was winning draws like his pocket was velcroed.
“That kid is a sophomore and really good,” Ott said. “But I will say I had my best defensive game of the season.”
Cape goalie Baxter Travers recorded 15 saves. He was fronted by long poles Brody McMahon, Ben Weathersby and Matt Prestipino, who worked hard the entire game to keep Cape in front. Will Bragg had a stellar game in the face-off circle and running full field on clears.
Cape was paced in goal scoring by Gabe Best with four goals, Jack Dennis and Luke D’Ambrogi with three each, and single goals from Tekmen and Greg Boyce.
Luke D’Ambrogi had a pair of assists, while Boyce had one.
All proceeds from the Dave Reynolds weekend benefit the Dave Reynolds Scholarship Fund.
Coach Mark D’Ambrogi told his team after the game: “That was a great game, but we have to get a lot better, and I think you all know that. Enjoy this win, but stay humble. We’re only seven games into the season, and there’s a long way to go.”
Cape was set to play at Tower Hill on Monday, April 15, at 4 p.m.
