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Cape tops New Jersey power in lax scrimmage

Vikings open season March 25 in Milford
The Cape lacrosse Class of 2026 are in back (l-r) David Adili-Khams, Brenner Short, Eric Uffelman, Brooks Leonhartt and Mason Jack. In front are Mason Trench, Mathew Popovich, Grant Conway, Ryan Morgan and Braddock Smith. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
March 23, 2026

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Cape boys’ lax scrimmages Kent Island
Thursday, March 12, 2026

The Cape boys’ lacrosse team hosted its final preseason scrimmage March 21, with New Jersey perennial power Ridgewood High School and Delaware’s St. Andrew’s School.

The Vikings started the scrimmage with a two 25-minute running-clock halves against the always-tough Ridgewood team. The second game featured the Maroons, against a talented St. Andrew’s team that boasts four Division I commits. Cape followed with a game against the Saints. 

When the final horn sounded, Cape had taken a 6-5 win over Ridgewood and a 7-3 victory over the Saints.

“We took some steps forward this week against very talented Ridgewood and St. Andrew’s teams,” said Cape coach Geoff Shupard. “I thought we needed to shoot better, but our offense is showing signs of improvement and moving in the right direction. The defense played very well all day, and both goalies had very good days. We definitely cleared better than our last scrimmage in both games. We’re looking forward to this coming week and getting into the regular season.”

Cape senior goalie Mason Trench made eight saves against Ridgewood, and junior Patrick Little made five stops against the Saints. 

“As a team, we learned a lot about ourselves,” said Trench. “Some players were playing new positions, and we were mixing the guys up to see how they could handle it. I think we got a lot of experience, but there is always more stuff we can learn.” 

The Vikings open their Henlopen Conference season with Milford Wednesday, March 25. 

 

Cape varsity coaches for the 2026 season are (l-r) Franc Cook, Joe Vavala, head coach Geoff Shupard, Jack Lingo and Mark D’Ambrogi.
Cape senior Grant Conway bull dodges through a Ridgewood defender.
Cape senior goalie Mason Trench makes a kick save against Ridgewood.
Sophomore Channing Smith goes in for a shot on the Ridgewood goal.
Cape sophomore Alan Grapski dodges to the goal and scores.
Sophomore Channing Smith bull dodges through a Ridgewood defender.
Cape senior Ryan Morgan speeds by a middie.
Senior Brenner Short cranks the rock and scores.
Vikings sophomore Alan Grapski shoots and scores his second goal of the game.
Cape senior long pole defender Brooks Leonhartt protects the Vikings’ goal.
Cape sophomore Channing Smith shoots and scores.
Cape’s Grant Conway flies across the field.
Cape goalie Mason Trench gets major air to coral a loose ball.
Cape sophomore Holden Moore blocks the way for the Ridgewood offense.
Cape senior Mason Trench makes one of his nine stops in the 6-5 win over Ridgewood.
Cape junior long pole Drew Mongeluzo clears the ball from the Maroons’ offensive zone.
Senior Brenner Short cranks the rock.
Junior Carter Nemcic takes a shot on the St. Andrew’s goal.
Cape’s Jaxson Holgerson levels a St. Andrew’s middie.
Cape’s Liam Crotty shoots and scores.
Long pole Tate Mauro scores for the Vikings.
Mathew Popovich sets up around the Saints’ crease.
Jaxson Holgerson takes a shot for the Vikings.
Cape junior Patrick Little held down the cage in the St. Andrew’s game.

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Dan has worked for the Cape Gazette for more than 30 years as a photographer and reporter, covering high school sports and happenings around eastern Sussex County. He won a photography award from the National Newspaper Association, and numerous awards from the Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association. A Delaware native, Dan graduated from Cape in 1972 and returned as a teacher and coach in the 1980s. He retired from the classroom in 2016. He was inducted into Cape High’s Legends Stadium in 2016. In his spare time, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons, grandchildren and dogs. 

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