Athlete of the Week
Will Overman

The boys lacrosse team is in the process of going through a complete program turnover. Over the course of the past three years the team has graduated a majority of its varsity athletes, leaving just three seniors on the 2010 team. As a result many young student-athletes have been pressed into action and are trying to maintain the historical success of program. One of the lynchpins to that expected resurgence is this week’s Athlete of the Week, sophomore goaltender Will Overman.

Overman began his varsity career as an eighth grader at Cape Henry. Splitting time between the JV and varsity teams, Overman was able to watch and learn from one of the best goaltenders the Dolphins have ever had, former all state player TJ Spera. Will served as the starting goalie for the JV team that season but was also pressed into action as the varsity back-up during non-conflicting contests. Upon his move to the upper school the fast forward button was pushed on Overman’s varsity career.

“Physically he was ready for the step to the varsity level,” head coach Charlie Lonergan said. “He was and is one of our best athletes, but as is the case for many young athletes the biggest challenge was his mental focus and confidence. Over the course of the past season and a half, though, Will has constantly improved in those areas.”

Overman started all 17 games in his freshman season, and he posted totals of 150 saves while giving up an average of 8.6 goals/game. Through eight games in 2010, Overman has posted 64 saves and helped the Dolphins to a 4-4 record.

“His ability as a pure goaltender is what he leans on in tough times,” Lonergan continued. “However, Will faces constant challenges on top of just saving the ball. He is tasked with being one of our defensive leaders, and as a result he helps make all of our defensive and clearing calls. For any player that is a challenge, and that’s especially true for a young player.”

Despite the workload and level of expectations Will is constantly improving, and that fact was obvious during the Dolphins slate of competition last week. After falling in a tough contest to start the week against Collegiate School, Cape Henry played back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday against Christchurch School and Norfolk Collegiate, both key divisional games. Overman and the defense were dominant in both.

In a rain and wind-soaked game against Christchurch on Friday, Overman led a defensive effort that allowed Christchurch just three goals. The Dolphins gave up just one goal in the first half, and Overman had to make just a single save in doing so, but Christchurch picked up the pace in the second half. Despite its extra efforts, Christchurch was absolutely stonewalled. Overman posted seven second half saves to help the Dolphins preserve a 5-3 victory. With very little time to enjoy the spoils of victory, the Dolphins hit the road on Saturday to face TCIS rival Norfolk Collegiate, and again Overman helped lead a strong defensive effort. With the offense having trouble finding its rhythm early on, the Dolphins found themselves in a heated battle into the second half. After giving up just one goal throughout the first half, the Oaks were able to capitalize twice in the third quarter, cutting Cape Henry’s advantage to 5-3 heading into the fourth quarter. Overman and the defense shut the door on the Oaks in the final quarter, and the Dolphins surged ahead to an 8-3 victory.

“A goalie must have a screw or two loose in order to be successful,” Lonergan finished. “In his own unique way Will fits that mold perfectly. He is the lone player I have coached who gets pumped up before a game by playing his mandolin to his teammates. As a goalie he has yet to reach his potential, but I have little doubt that he will do so. Will is a driven student-athlete, and for as long as he sets goals to achieve I believe he will find a way to meet those goals.”

Boys Lacrosse Struggles Against St. Christopher's, Falls 14-4

The Dolphins carried a two-game winning streak on the road to St. Christopher's Tuesday afternoon, but the Saints used a six goal second quarter to carry it to a 14-4 victory over Cape Henry. The Dolphins opened the game with poise and confidence, battling to a 4-3 deficit heading into the second quarter, but the Saints six unanswered second quarter goals left Cape Henry reeling. The Dolphins held strong in the third quarter, giving up one goal with a strong defensive effort, but the deficit was too large to overcome. Austin Curran had two goals while Colin Corcoran and Mike Maroon each added one. John Everett was dominant on face offs, winning 90% of the game's draws.

Girls Lacrosse Falls in Final Minute to Norfolk Collegiate

In yesterday’s critical conference match-up Cape Henry fell by one goal in the final minute of the game, 16-15. Down by four early in the first half, the Dolphins rallied offensively to tie the score and notch ahead by one. The Oaks regained the lead before halftime, but the Dolphins answered yet again two more times to end the first half at a tie score. The second half proved to be just as exciting as the first, with the lead trading back and forth four different times before the Oaks got a fast break and held the ball from the Dolphins to close out the game. Outstanding play was recorded by Ashmore Standing with five goals, one assist and 11 draw controls. Also contributing on offense were Maggie Whittemore (one goal, three assists), Megan Bradley (two goals), Laney Clarke (three goals), Alison Riccio (one assist) and Regan Haegley (one goal, two assists). Excellent defensive play was posted by Maddie Houck and Meghan McKnelly. The Dolphins (1-5) host northeastern powerhouse Springfield HS (PA) on Thursday (4pm).

Boys Lacrosse Wins Two Straight, Beating Christchurch and Norfolk Collegiate With Strong Defensive Efforts

The Dolphins hosted Christchurch School on Friday, and despite sloppy game conditions worked their way to a 5-3 victory. Will Overman led Cape Henry with a strong second half effort in goal, stopping six shots in the third and fourth quarters to preserve the win. The offense was led by Garrett Kelly (two goals), Colin Corcoran (two goals, one assist) and Austin Curran (one goal). Garrett Deming added an assist while having a strong contribution on the defensive end of the field, and Mike Maroon was strong defensively as well. John Everett controlled the face offs, winning eight out of 10 draws. John Jepson, Weston Bradley, Sam Law, Nick Anderson and William Jordan also pitched in with strong defensive efforts.

On Saturday Cape Henry traveled to Norfolk Collegiate to play the second half of a back-to-back slate of games. The Dolphins dominated the course of the game, winning 8-3 despite an inconsistent offensive effort. The defense was strong for the second game in a row, as Will Overman, John Jepson, Weston Bradley, Sam Law, Nick Anderson and William Jordan helped limit the Oaks to just three goals. Colin Corcoran paced the offense with two goals and two assists. Austin Curran and Garrett Kelly followed suit with two goals apiece, while Mike Maroon and Will Mason each added a goal.