By Tim Mastro

HOCKESSIN — C.J. Fritchman, like the rest of the Cape Henlopen High boys’ lacrosse team, was looking forward to a second chance against Sanford School.

The Vikings fell by one to Sanford during the regular season. Fritchman, Cape Henlopen’s faceoff specialist, felt like Sanford’s Tim Lucky got the best of him that day.

When the two teams met for the rematch in Tuesday’s state semifinals, Fritchman was prepared. He stuck right with Sanford’s star Lucky, and helped the Vikings hang on for a 16-15 victory over the previously unbeaten and top-seeded Warriors.

“I struggled really bad last time — he got me good,” Fritchman said. “I just worked hard in practice, worked on a couple things and got it done. I was a bit jumpy earlier but I calmed myself down and got into it.”

Cape Henlopen, seeded fifth in the tournament, advanced to Thursday’s championship game against No. 2 Salesianum at 7:30 p.m. hosted by Dover High. It is a rematch of the most recent state title game, in 2019, which the Vikings won 12-10. But Salesianum won this year’s regular season matchup 11-10 back on April 19.

The Vikings had to overcome an early 6-1 deficit to down Sanford on Tuesday. They were aided by the extra possessions provided by Fritchman’s faceoff wins.

“I thought C.J. had done some homework since we’ve last been here,” said Cape coach Mark D’Ambrogi. “He spent a lot of time making sure what he put out was his best effort. I’ve learned not to underestimate that boy.”

Cape Henlopen also received a boost from goalie Carson Kammerer who came off the bench and made four clutch saves in the final quarter, holding Sanford to just two goals in the fourth after they had a combined 13 in the previous three quarters.

“That was fun, it’s what you do it for,” Kammerer said. “You’re either about it or you’re not. I was just happy they put me in. It was fun. My defense helped me out a lot, did really well on the clears and I couldn’t ask for anything more out of them.”

The score was tied 14-14 until Jaden Davis netted the go-ahead goal for Cape Henlopen with 5:00 left. Gabe Best added a key insurance goal when he stole the ball on an attempted pass from the Sanford goalie and was able to finish into the empty net.

“I just threw my stick up and the ball got in it,” Best said. “I surprised myself. I just turned around and shot it.”

Sanford pulled within a goal late but Mikey Frederick sealed it for the Vikings, forcing a turnover in the final 30 seconds and Cape held onto possession the rest of the way.

Best led the Vikings with four goals, followed by three goals apiece from Davis and Hank D’Ambrogi. Blake Gipko, Jacob Schell and Frederick provided two goals each.

D’Ambrogi added three assists while Best recorded a pair.

“We definitely learned a lot from the first matchup,” Best said. “We learned we’re not unbeatable. We’re not this top team that no one can touch. It was a humbling experience and we worked 10 times harder in practice and we were obviously more prepared this time.”