CAPE ELIZABETH—The 2021 Cape Elizabeth Capers had a yr to bear in mind.
But the 2022 squad has been even higher, throughout the regular season a minimum of.
Monday night at Hannaford Field, the Capers produced probably the most regular season victories within the historical past of the field hockey program, using the talent in their seniors, on Senior Night, to an outstanding win over visiting Lake Region.
The Lakers struck first within the opening stanza, when senior Reannah Dingley scored, however Cape Elizabeth drew even in the second one duration on target from senior Kaitlyn McIntyre, then went on best to stick when senior Meghan Conley rattled the cage.
Senior Grace Gray added to the lead within the 3rd quarter, then the Capers ended all doubt within the fourth duration, as Gray arrange freshman Lulu Stockelein for a target, then senior Abbie Homicz accounted for the general ranking with yet one more and Cape Elizabeth prevailed, 5-1.
The Capers completed the regular season 12-2 and within the procedure, dropped Lake Region to 5-8-1.
“The girls have been working hard,” stated Cape Elizabeth trainer Maura Bisogni. “It takes a lot of mental toughness to show up every day and Class B is crazy this year. They’ve done a great job. (All the seniors scoring) is indicative of our season.”
No dropoff
After ultimate yr’s step forward 13-win marketing campaign (with 11 coming within the regular season and two extra within the playoffs) and go back and forth to the regional ultimate (each and every of which ultimate took place in 2000), many questioned if Cape Elizabeth may proceed to provoke this autumn.
The resolution has been an unequivocal sure.
The Capers started with a 6-0 house loss to York, then rolled at Wells (9-0), edged visiting Freeport in double-overtime (3-2), blanked visiting Greely (5-0), prevailed at Lake Region (3-1), defeated visiting Yarmouth (7-1) and blanked host Greely (2-0), Gray-New Gloucester (4-0) and Fryeburg Academy (3-0) ahead of surviving host Freeport in time beyond regulation once more via a 3-2 ranking. After a 5-2 setback at York, Cape Elizabeth close down visiting Poland (7-0) and Gray-New Gloucester (5-0) ultimate week.
Lake Region, in the meantime, gained its opener over Greely (2-0), then misplaced 4 in a row. Since then, the Lakers were a lot more aggressive, going 4-3-1 with a 2-0 victory over Poland of their most up-to-date day trip.
In the groups’ first assembly, Sept. 16 in Naples, McIntyre scored two objectives, whilst Homicz added the opposite.
Monday, on Senior Night, on a wet night, Lake Region seemed to overcome Cape Elizabeth for the primary time since a 1-0 victory within the 2019 Class B South quarterfinals, however as an alternative, the Capers made it 4 in a row within the sequence.
Cape Elizabeth junior Jenna Tuttle performs the ball as senior Meghan Conley appears on throughout the Capers’ 5-1 house win over Lake Region Monday. Photos courtesy Lisa Mims.
McIntyre had the sport’s first just right take care of taking a go from Gray, however her bid used to be stored via Lakers’ junior goalie Reiyn Hart.
Lake Region then struck first with 7:18 left within the 15-minute first quarter, as Dingley despatched a rebound previous Cape Elizabeth junior goalie Zoe Burgard.
The Capers attempted to respond to, however Hart denied McIntyre, then she stored a shot from junior Sophia Chung off a penalty nook.
Cape Elizabeth then returned to its goal-scoring tactics in the second one duration.
Hart first of all stymied the Capers via saving a pair pictures from Gray and she or he additionally made a pleasant save on a bid from Stoecklein.
But at the latter shot, the rebound sat unfastened and McIntyre used to be there to bury it to make it 1-1.
Cape Elizabeth celebrates scoring the tying target within the first part.
The go-ahead target got here with 3:58 closing within the part, as Conley discovered herself on the a long way publish and when the ball got here to her, she had a very easy tap-in target to make it 2-1 on the damage.
“When we fell behind, it gave us motivation,” Gray stated. “We really like playing in the rain.”
Cape Elizabeth was hoping so as to add to its lead within the 3rd quarter, however first of all, Hart stored them flustered, saving a shot from Gray, some other from Stoecklein and two extra from Gray.
Dingley attempted to drag the Lakers even, however Burgard made the save.
Then, with 5:42 at the clock, after McIntyre hit the publish, Gray used to be there to transform the rebound for a 3-1 merit.
“It felt really good to finally get one,” stated Gray. “They have a really strong defense, but we rose to the challenge.”
The Capers ended all doubt within the fourth quarter, as with 7:51 to head, Gray despatched the ball to Stoecklein, who despatched a shot previous Hart to make the ranking 4-1.
“That was really exciting,” Gray stated. “Lulu’s a freshman and she’s really stepped up her game. She’s so persistent and it was fun to help her get a goal.”
“Grace has done a good job of assisting and she has a ton of them this year,” Bisogni stated. “She plays at such a high level and she runs back and plays defense too.”
In the general minute, Homicz were given within the at the amusing, firing house a rebound, and that introduced the curtain down on Cape Elizabeth’s 5-1 victory.
“We’re just really excited to be playing together,” stated Gray. “These are some of my best friends since kindergarten, so I’m happy to share this night with them. Our seniors who graduated last year were a big impact on our team. This season, we’ve bonded and become one. That’s helped with our playing.”
The Capers had a commanding 24-3 edge in pictures on body, were given two saves from Burgard and took 10 corners to the Lakers’ one.
Hart stopped 19 pictures for Lake Region.
Let the joys start
Lake Region used to be ranked 6th within the Class B South Heal Points standings at press time and can most probably pass at the street for a quarterfinal spherical playoff sport subsequent week.
Cape Elizabeth, in the meantime, would be the No. 2 seed in Class B South for the second one yr in a row and can host a quarterfinal both Tuesday or Wednesday of subsequent week.
The Capers know that anything else can occur within the postseason, however they’re in a position to make some other deep run.
“I feel like our team has potential,” Gray stated. “We work well together and we’re excited to see what happens. We treat every opponent like it’s our biggest opponent. You never know, especially this season, so we have to go into every game playing our best.”
“We have to keep working hard and keep connecting on passes,” Bisogni stated. “We have to stay healthy. We need to keep enthusiasm up. We won’t take anyone for granted.”
Sports Editor Michael Hoffer will also be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter: @foresports.
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