Polytech’s Madilyn McKay (2), left runs past Cape Henlopen’s Tess Bernheimer (7) in their game on Wednesday night.
Cape Henlopen’s Victoria Lockwood (12) tries to get a shot off in their win over Polytech.
Cape Henlopen’s Tess Bernheimer (7) looks for the loose ball in the first half against Polytech.
Polytech’s Grace Stang (15), right tries to stop a shot from Cape Henlopen’s Alison Palmer (19).
Polytech’s Jamie Trabaudo (16) with a shot on goal in their game against Cape Henlopen.
Polytech’s Madilyn McKay (2) runs through Cape Henlopen’s defense in their game on Wednesday night.
Cape Henlopen’s goalie Iseabal Cryne (8) tries to block a shot by Polytech in the second half of play.
Polytech’s Caroline Hermance (10), right and Cape Henlopen’s Tess Bernheimer (7) reach for the ball during the second half of play.
Cape Henlopen’s Evelyn Shoop (22) with a shot on goal in their 12-10 win over Polytech.
Polytech’s goalie Shannon Stephan (36) watches as a shot from Cape Henlopen misses the goal.
Cape Henlopen’s Victoria Lockwood (12) scoops up a loose ball in their 12-10 win over Polytech.
Cape Henlopen’s Tess Bernheimer (7) works the ball through Polytech’s defense in their 12-10 win over Polytech.
Cape Henlopen’s Victoria Lockwood (12) works to keep the ball in play during the first half of play against Polytech.
Polytech’s Madilyn McKay (2), left and Cape Henlopen’s Jody Boyer (24) run for a loose ball during the first half of play.
Polytech’s Alison McKay (22), left and Cape Henlopen’s Evelyn Shoop (22) battle for the ball during the second half of play.
Cape Henlopen’s Evelyn Shoop (22) with a shot on goal in their 12-10 win over Polytech.
WOODSIDE – The Cape Henlopen girls lacrosse team’s 90-game in-state winning streak was in serious danger at Polytech on Wednesday night.
Then a player new to the Vikings’ program sprinted in and made sure the run of success would continue.
Eddy Shoop scored the clinching goal with 1:58 left, and top-ranked Cape Henlopen held on the rest of the way for a 12-10 victory over second-ranked Polytech at Jeff Adams Stadium.
The Vikings (8-1) were leading 10-5 when they were forced to play the final 19:08 one player short after the team received its fourth yellow card of the night. A furious rally pulled the Panthers (6-1) within 11-10 with 2:44 to go, but Polytech couldn’t clear the final hurdle.
“We played 18 minutes a player short, and we still win by two,” Cape coach PJ Kesmodel said. “That’s a pretty good thing, I think.”
Shoop transferred to Cape from Severn School in Severna Park, Md., this year. The junior has committed to play at Florida, which is currently ranked second in the nation, and she has provided a major boost for the Vikings.
“She is, if not our top kid, one of our top kids now,” Kesmodel said. “She’s a huge addition. I’m expanding her role as she’s feeling more comfortable. … She’s a big-time player.”
The teams traded turnovers in the final three minutes before Shoop charged in to score her fifth and final goal, pushing the Vikings’ lead back to two.
“It was kind of just instinct,” Shoop said. “And then after it happened, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, what just happened?’ I don’t know how to explain it, but when I’m on the field it feels like I just do what I know to do. It’s just instinct.”
Cape won the first four draws and jumped to a 4-0 lead, prompting a Polytech timeout. The Panthers pulled it together, getting a goal from Ali McKay and thriving on the Vikings’ first penalty with man-up goals from Morgan Cook and McKay to pull within 4-3 with 13:50 left in the first half.
But Cape pushed its lead back out to 8-4 at the half, despite two more penalties. Victoria Lockwood’s left-handed shot gave the Vikings a 10-5 advantage with 19:57 left in the game, but a fourth yellow card 49 seconds later gave Polytech an advantage the rest of the way.
And the Panthers took advantage.
“The neat thing is, the kids didn’t quit,” Polytech coach Lynn Richardson said. “They battled, and they know that crazy things can happen.”
The Panthers began to control the draws and run through the Vikings’ short-handed defense. McKay scored twice, and Jamie Trabaudo poured one home off a rebound. Cape goalkeeper Izzy Cryne tried to hold the fort with two big saves, but Maddie McKay scored to pull Polytech within 11-10 with 2:44 to go.
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Then Shoop answered with the biggest goal, and the Vikings’ streak reached 91. The seven-time defending DIAA champions haven’t lost to a Delaware foe since a 13-12 setback at St. Andrew’s on May 2, 2009.
“If it had been all even, we would have been fine in this game,” Kesmodel said. “It’s kind of tough to play a player down, and [Polytech] has some great players.
“I think if we play them again, if we play them even up we’ll be in good shape. I think we learned a lot from this game.”
Polytech learned a lot, too. The Panthers would love a rematch in the state tournament.
“A loss is a loss, but I’m excited that my kids competed,” Richardson said. “They have the confidence, and they know they can hang with them.”
Contact Brad Myers at bmyers@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter: @BradMyersTNJ.