VIDEO, PHOTO GALLERY: Pierce, Valencia carry LCM past Cape Tech

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE — The Lower Cape May and Cape May Tech boys soccer teams finally got to play Saturday.

The teams enjoyed perfect playing conditions — sunny skies and temperatures in the mid to upper 60s — as each got their abbreviated seasons started during these strange times we call 2020.

The combination of Jordan Pierce and Miguel Valencia in the final third gave Lower Cape May the advantage. Pierce scored a hat trick and Valencia added a goal and two assists as the Caper Tigers rolled to a 6-1 victory.

Troy Genaro and Danny Kotb also scored for Lower Cape May. Evan Shoffler and Colin Hassay each added assists.

Joel Sheptock scored Cape May Tech’s goal on a beautiful free kick from 20 yards late in the second half.

For Lower, the victory came in the first of what is, as of now, an eight-game schedule, all against Cape May County teams. Lower coach Dennis Elia said his club is trying to add a couple more games against other Cape-Atlantic League teams.

“We didn’t even think we were going to have a season, so to be able to get and compete is great,” Elia said. “We have a limited schedule. It’s a short, tight schedule. But it’s so much better than nothing.

“Ocean City’s going to be tough. We have our work cut out for us but we feel like we can compete with anybody. But the kids have to compete for it and they have to work for it.”