Three Cape lacrosse girls commit to Delaware

Yo, Chief! Cosmic connections running through a Philly house cat named Chief. Delaware associate head coach and defensive coordinator of women’s lacrosse, Kara Nakrasius (Garnet Valley), was a lacrosse teammate and housemate with Lizzie Frederick during her four years at Temple University. The cat when called didn’t answer. “Here, kitty kitty,” but rather to, “Yo, Chief!” When Ella Rishko decided to transfer out of Virginia Tech after two seasons, there was a natural connection to Chief and coach Nakrasius through Lizzie, as Ella is a first cousin. Then Lulu Rishko decommitted from Virginia Tech and committed to Delaware, where she is now a sophomore. Amy Altig is the head coach at Delaware via Penn State and Princeton. Coach Altig rates high on the likability, affability and relatability chart. Just last week, Cape’s three all-state lacrosse juniors Haley Gamuciello, Ally Diehl and Mairead Rishko verbally committed to Delaware. A photo of the three players from eight years ago (Atlantic Lacrosse) shows the three girls at a Temple game watching Kara and Lizzie play lacrosse. Anna Frederick and Taylor Gooch (Cape) were also on that team. The recruiting landscape has changed most dramatically over the last year, with more sources of monies and more scholarship slots allowable. Somewhat incomprehensible that after 15 state titles for Cape, five players are now part of the Blue Hens family. Coach Kara: “We love the Cape kids!” 

All in the family - Goalies and grapplers and alias names to protect the innocent, a supportive family with extra grandparents floating about. Even with my degree in anthropology and particular interest in kinship and families, I've always had a hard time following wrestler Austin Guerrieri’s family. Three generations showed up Sept. 21 for the Paradise Grill Stop, Drop & Run 5K. I saw Austin beforehand with his bushy Art Garfunkel hair, and he just smiled. Austin is an athletic dog – quick, bouncy and self-confident – who was a state champion wrestler as a freshman. I figured he’d run like a 22-minute 5K. Austin was the overall winner in 19:45. Stephanie Guerrieri, 37, was third in her age group in 27:31, which is really fast for a former goalie. Melissa Wiley, 39, a nurse practitioner out of Ocean City who never stops smiling, was the overall women's winner in 20:31. Jennifer Hagan, 52, a retired Cape teacher and coach and current field hockey and lacrosse official, won her age group in 27:33. 

No fairness - If sports were about justice, you’d hire Judge Wapner as head coach. I have always stated in the final four minutes of an NFL football game, just ditch the headphones and clear the coaching box because the athletes on the field will decide the outcome, and expect things to get crazy. The Eagles won versus the Rams on a blocked field goal and scoop-and-score take-it-to-the-ice-cream-store by behemoth Jordan Davis. The Rams had 356 total yards to 288 for the Eagles. Davis is 6-foot-6, 338 pounds. Holy moly guacamole, that is a big rascal. Eagles coach Nick Sirianni, 44 years old, stormed the field like a water boy after Davis’ touchdown, solidifying his status as a 6-foot-3, Division III goober wide receiver from Mount Union College. 

Snippets - Hodgson upset Sussex Central last Friday night 44-34, and I sure didn’t see that coming. The Silver Eagles are Cape’s Homecoming opponent Friday, Sept. 26. Sussex Tech, Group 2, improved to 3-0 with a 48-13 win over Mt. Pleasant. Cape hockey defeated Tower Hill 3-0 on goals by Emily Wells and Mairead Rishko. The Vikings are 6-0, having outscored their opponents 40-0. The showdown is about to go down this week with home games versus Delmar Tuesday, Sept. 23, and Smyrna Thursday, Sept. 25. West Chester University plays at Farrell Stadium. Last Saturday, they celebrated naming the field Tomlinson-Filippo Field, which caught my attention because Tommy Tomlinson has been a Fred family friend for 50 years. But nothing compares to “The Tub,” the Delaware Stadium field named after Tubby Raymond. Does Phillies manager Rob Thompson fill fans with confidence? I gotta be honest – actually I don’t – I’ve always thought he’s a nice guy in over his head. He appears to stay out of the way, but he’s a risk taker and loyal to his players. The Dodgers lost to the Giants on Sunday, dropping the Phillies’ magic number to two with six to play to secure a first-round bye. Go on now, git!