Vikings run the clock on Riders in rivalry lacrosse game, win 17-3
A large crowd shuffled into Legends Stadium May 8, and it was lights, cameras and action for the annual rivalry game between Cape and Caesar Rodney in the sport of lacrosse.
The score comparisons leading into game 14 of the season favored the Vikings, but you don’t need Bob Seger to sing “Take those old records off the shelf” to know that “showtime is go time” and that’s the 25-year history in a game that rocks the partisan fans every season.
The Riders scored first to get Cape’s attention. The Vikings responded with seven unanswered goals to close the quarter at 7-1. The score at halftime was 10-2. The clock ran in the fourth quarter, as Cape came away with an unexpectedly easy 17-3 victory.
The Vikings improved to 11-2 on the season and will next host Appoquinimink Friday, May 10, for Senior Night. The Vikings have 14 seniors on the team.
Caesar Rodney dropped to 9-4 with a Friday night home game versus Archmere followed by Salesianum Tuesday, May 14, on the outdoor turf field at the 76ers Fieldhouse in Wilmington.
Cape coach Mark D’Ambrogi reflected on the game: “We played well to start and jumped out to a lead. I thought we got complacent in the first six minutes of the second quarter, but after that, we played well the rest of the way. We did a good job of spreading the ball around, and guys finished their shots. Defensively, we stayed on their hands and stayed in front of them. Matt, Ben and Brody do a good job. But, Will, Jaden, Drew and Landon along with Billy really work hard for their teammates. If we know what is good for us, we will be ready for Appoquinimink. We will now play the [Henlopen] South winner next week.”
Cape goal scorers were Jack Dennis with four, Gabe Best and Hank D’Ambrogi with three each, Greg Boyce and Adem Tekmen with two apiece, and Luke D’Ambrogi, Blake Gipko and Finbar Rishko with one.
Cape assists were Boyce with three, and the D’Ambrogi brothers, Tekmen and Andre Currie each with one.
Baxter Travers had five saves, while Sean Griffith had three.
