CAPE ELIZABETH – Sometimes all it takes is a quick goal against to stoke the competitive fire.

Such was the case for Cape Elizabeth Monday night as it momentarily found itself in unfamiliar territory before storming past Wells for a 21-6 victory in a Western Maine Conference girls’ lacrosse game at Hannaford Field.

“That was the first time I think a team has scored on us first so it was kind of like a bit of a shock,” said Talley Perkins, who paced Cape Elizabeth with six goals and two assists.

“It really helped us get that focus back together if we are joking around or had one of those funky warm-ups when we can’t catch the ball. It really gets us back into game mode and gets the adrenaline pumping again.”

The lead for the Warriors (4-6) was short-lived against the Capers (10-0).

Lauren Steidl gained control off the ensuing faceoff, raced to the goal and tied the game 15 seconds later. The goal, the first of three straight by Steidl in a span of 41/2 minutes, gave Cape control.

By the midway point of the first half the Capers led 7-1.

“We all know that this game is about momentum,” said Cape Coach Jeff Perkins. “That’s the thing I talk to our team about all the time, ‘Let’s go out, start fast and get the momentum right away.’

“I don’t think we came out flat. I think Wells came out and put a good play on us and scored that goal. But I think it made us realize that we’re going to be in a game here until we make it what it’s going to be.”

The early Cape Elizabeth lead could have been more pronounced had it not been for Tabitha Goodale.

Goodale made four quality stops in the opening 10 minutes to limit the damage.

Three goals by Talley Perkins in the final 10 minutes of the half helped push Cape ahead 13-2 at the break.

Perkins, a junior midfielder, scored twice more in the opening nine minutes of the second half before taking up permanent residence on the sideline with her side enjoying a 17-4 cushion.

“I think we start and go out and do what we have to do,” said Talley Perkins, the coach’s daughter who has verbally committed to Boston University.

“Then we back it off and do our plays and do whatever we need to. When we get a comfortable lead we can put in some of our other players that don’t usually play.”

Steidl finished with four goals and Abby McInerney collected three.

Hannah Newhall and Bella Robinson scored two each and singles went to Janessa White, Hailey Petsinger, Jane Coffrin and Talia Pappas.

Kelly Beisswanger paced Wells with three goals and Jasmine Loukola had two. Nicki Moody also scored for the Warriors.

“In a game like this, we just really re-enforce the whole effort aspect,” said Wells Coach Kayla Hinkley.

“Any time we are playing a team that’s highly skilled, what we want to see out of our players is hustle. Going after every ground ball and making it more difficult for them.”