Emma Landes’s five-goal afternoon led her Capers to a 13-8 win over visiting Gorham on Saturday. The Rams managed to stick within striking distance for most of the game, but Cape cleaned up some early mistakes to pull away in the later going.

The team advanced to 4-1 on the win and ranks fourth in B West, one slot behind York, but one ahead of Lake Region, both of whom are 4-0. Gorham slides to 2-2 on their loss. The Rams are seventh in A West, back from Bonny Eagle and in front of South Portland.

“We were winning the draws, and making some shots,” said Capers head coach Alex Spark of her team’s quick advantage. “But then we had some mental lapses, where we had some turnovers, which gave them the ball. We let them come back at us.

“Toward the end, we finally got more of a grip on controlling the ball and keeping it in our possession, which is why we were able to get a couple more goals and pull out the win.”

The Capers’ Chloe Chapin opened the scoring, beating Gorham goalie Allison Sinnett in close on an assist by Hannah Bosworth. Kirsten Rudberg put Cape ahead 2-0 less than two minutes later, ducking inside to shuttle the ball past Sinnett from 15 feet out.

Sinnett, despite her team’s falling behind early and ultimately succumbing, looked strong throughout the afternoon, and saved a number of tough shots; the score might have been far more lopsided, had she not been in cage for the Rams.

Likewise, the Gorham offense managed to answer Cape, particularly through the first half. Near the 15-minutes-remaining mark, the Rams’ Marina Pappalardo fed teammate Reagan Emerson, and Emerson bested Capers’ goalie Kate Bosworth for 2-1.

Cape’s Emma Landes soon matched, scoring on a free position, but again Gorham responded, Pappalardo hashing her second as she cut right and fired back across left on Kate Bosworth. 3-2.

Finally, the Rams pulled even. MacKenzie Collins tied the tally with 9:27 to play in the first half, circling through traffic out front of the Capers’ cage. The team then went on lengthy attacking stretch.

“I think our girls just played hard,” said Gorham head coach. “We were giving some good pressure on our attacking ride, and freed up our midfield a little bit, and free up our defense. When our girls pressured hard all over the field, things were going well for us. Cape is just a good, fast, solid, creative offensive team. Both played a good game today.”

It took Cape a minute and a half to break the siege, but when they did, they immediately scored once more. Mariah Deschino carried upfield and shoveled to Landes for her second of the day.

The Capers maintained the lead for the rest of the game, but not without having to peer over their shoulders once or twice. Rudberg made it 5-3 a minute later, but Collins parried two minutes after that for 5-4.

Cape hashed three quick points as the half wound down, giving them an 8-4 lead and the momentum for the duration of the break, but the Rams charged onto the field for the second 25 minutes looking aggressive. Sinnett logged a nice save early, and the team went on the attack, Pappalardo soon dishing to Audrey Perrault for 8-5.

Pappalardo herself would score the next point, keeping Gorham close enough to feel hopeful still.

“Figuring out some confidence on attack,” allowed Guimond’s girls to stay hot on Cape’s heels. “We’ve got some leaders down there who like to make things happen, and when they start getting creative, and start to roll…It’s still super-early in the season, so I think we can look for more of that to happen, going forward.”

But the next several tallies belonged to Cape, and with under five to play, they stood on top 12-7. The Rams took time-out, and returned afterward looking fiery. They pressed hard, and their aggression paid off, Pappalardo notching her hat trick with 3:33 on the clock.

It wouldn’t be enough, though. Landes added her fifth a minute and a half later, and the outcome was essentially decided. 13-8 the final.

“Gorham’s a good program,” said Spark. “It’s always a very tough battle when we play them. They came out wanting to play hard and go for the win. We got stuck on our heels, at the beginning of the second half. After they got those couple of goals, our girls checked back in and had that, ‘Hey, wait a sec,’ and then started to get our game, and put ourselves back in control. Once we got control of the game, once we were playing our game, we kind of took it away with us.”

Guimond was quick to praise a number of her players, despite the team’s defeat. “Marina Pappalardo on attack; Mackenzie Collins, making stuff happen; Maggie Shields on the draw came up huge for us a couple times. Our defense, Jen Darris and Athena Pappalardo, making huge caused-turnovers; Delaney Shiers – lots of caused-turnovers all over the place helped us out, helped us stay in the game. It felt like we were in it, all the way through.”

Cape next faces off at B West No. 1 Kennebunk (5-0) on Wednesday, May 13, at 6 p.m. Gorham hosted A West No. 1 Scarborough (2-1) on Tuesday, after Current Publishing’s print deadlines, and welcomes No. 6 Bonny Eagle (1-3) on Thursday.

Gorham goalie Allison Sinnett directs her teammates on defense at Cape Saturday afternoon.Ram Audrey Perrault carries the ball, attempting to clear against Cape on Saturday. Gorham lost the road game, 13-8.Cape senior defender Brette Lennon drives forward with the ball against visiting Gorham on Saturday.Cape’s Kirsten Rudberg and Gorham’s Athena Pappalardo vie for position in their teams’ matchup on Saturday.Gorham’s Marina Pappalardo rips a shot toward the Capers’ net.Cape’s Mo Lavalle shoulders into Gorham middie Jennifer Darasz.

Copy the Story Link