Fall Sports preview

By Nick LaRosa
August 31, 2011

Men’s Soccer

After a 9-10-1 record last season, the men’s soccer team is looking for a way to reach the NCAA tournament once again.

The team made the CSAC tournament last year and defeated Gwynedd-Mercy College 2-1 before falling to Marywood by a score of 3-1 on Nov. 4, putting an end to their season.

Jenay Smith / Photo Editor

During their practices, the Cavs have been trying to get their team ready for the 2011 campaign by working on their tactics and staying fit.

Like any team, the Cavs are adjusting to the departure of senior players and the addition of freshmen to their squad. The team lost six seniors from last year’s team, including back Troy Allen and midfielder King Saah.

“We’re mainly trying to get the freshmen acquainted with everyone else and help them develop,” Eric Collins, senior midfielder, said. Collins led the team in scoring last season with 12 goals and 25 points in 20 contests.

Outside of winning the CSAC, the Cavaliers are fixing their eyes on reaching the NCAA tournament this season.

“The toughest thing for us last year was not being able to compete in the NCAA tournament,” Collins said. “This year we want to regain our title.”

First game of 2011: Thursday, Sept. 1 versus Penn State – Brandywine at 6 p.m. The game will be held at Edith Robb Dixon Field.

 

Women’s Soccer

The 2010 Lady Cavaliers went 9-1 in conference play and won 14 total games; however, a tough 8-7 shootout loss to Immaculata ended their hopes of winning a CSAC title.

The players have used the preseason practices to work on their game while also adjusting to the many new faces on the roster.

Jenay Smith / Photo Editor

“At practice we’re trying to come together as a team,” Sammy Thompson, senior midfielder, said. “ We have a lot of new players and transfers this year.”

“With so many new players we’re trying to find a spot for everyone,” Kara Hinkelmon, senior forward/midfielder, said. Hinkelmon and Thompson started all 19 games last year for Cabrini and will be two of the leaders on this year’s squad.

While the Cavs do have a number of new players on their roster this year, they will have to cope with the loss of recent graduates Annmarie Kolla and Dana Nardello. Kolla led the team in scoring last year with 23 points and Nardello tallied a team-high 10 assists.

Juniors Alex Tralie and Dana Drake will also have bigger roles with the team this year. Tralie and Drake both had double-digit point seasons and played in all 19 of the team’s games.

As always, a championship is the team’s ultimate goal. The team last won the CSAC title in 2009.

“We want to come back and win the CSAC,” Thompson said.

First game of 2011: Thursday, Sept. 1 at Stevenson University. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.

 

Field Hockey

After winning the CSAC championship for the second straight year in 2010, the field hockey team is looking for another strong season in 2011.

“We want to be successful and work as hard as possible to meet our goals,” Lauren Alessi, senior forward, said.

Jenay Smith / Photo Editor

Last year’s season lasted into the middle portion of November; the team beat Immaculata University and Gwynedd-Mercy College in the CSAC tournament before ending their season on Nov. 6 with a loss to Middlebury College in the NCAA tournament.

According to Alessi, conditioning has been a big part of the team’s practices so far as they prepare to defend their title. Alessi led the team in 2010 with 14 goals and 33 points and senior forward Stephanie Campanaro finished third with 20 points.

“Our team is big this year so we want everyone to come together,” Campanaro said.

While the team only lost five seniors from last year’s group, they will have to move forward without goalkeeper Caitlin Donahue, who started all 20 of the team’s games last year and recorded three shutouts.

“We want to have fun and have the longest season possible,” Alessi said.

First game of 2011: Thursday, Sept. 1 versus Rowan University at 3:30 p.m. The game will be held at Edith Robb Dixon Field.

 

Women’s Tennis

The women’s tennis team finished last season with an overall record of 15-3. With nine conference wins and only one loss, the Lady Cavs are focusing on teamwork, team bonding and growing as a team and program.

With only one new addition this season, freshman Samantha Trumbo, the chemistry of the team has never been stronger.

Cabrini College Athletics Department / Submitted photo

“Due to our extra long pre-season, we were able to actually spend more time together off the court,” Alexis DeCamillo, senior human resource management major, said. “Previous seasons we never really had this chance, so we really took advantage of it and just got to reconnect with each other and our new player.”

DeCamillo and fellow senior Michelle Lettman, graphic design major, have been leading the women’s tennis team since their sophomore year.

“Being a leader has nothing to do with being a senior,” DeCamillo, CSAC First Team honoree, said. “Each of us all help motivate each other, constantly encouraging during drills and making sure we never get down on ourselves. Everyone on the team is a leader in their own way.”

Trust is beyond important for the ladies on the team, particularly when it comes to doubles partners.

“Doubles really helps us unite due to the level of dependence we have on each other when out on the court,” DeCamillo said. “Doubles teams must learn to trust and mentally comprehend how their partner works. Without this trust partners are unable to rely on each other.”

First game of 2011: Saturday, Sept. 3 at Baptist Bible College at 1 p.m.

 

Women’s Volleyball

After two consecutive CSAC title wins, the Cabrini College volleyball team have been voted the 2011 preseason favorite. With an overall record of 23-8, including 10 conference wins and only one conference loss, the Lady Cavs are looking for a three-peat in the 2011 season.

Jenay Smith / Photo Editor

Seniors Alexis Doss, outside hitter, Courtney Abel, libero and Beth Gillespie, middle, all agreed a third consecutive win would be the perfect way to end their athletic careers at Cabrini and continue to grow as a program.

“As a senior, I don’t want to walk away and have not won,” Doss, 2010 CSAC Second Team honoree, said.

The women agreed that beyond winning the CSAC title, they hope to go further in the NCAA tournament. The Lady Cavs have reached the first round of the tournament the last two seasons, falling to Juniata both times.

“How well we play this season will help with our seeding,” Abel said.

Chemistry between the ladies has also created a stronger team.

“As someone who just got to know half the team, everyone is so welcoming and ready to include and that is a key part of the gelling in the games,” returning player Gillespie said after taking a year off.

Competition between teammates has also been pushing the players to work harder.

“This year we want to work more or less on challenging each other,” Abel said. “There is so much competition within the team itself because fighting for positions, with everyone being so strong, anyone on the team could be a starter so we’re all fighting for that spot and pushing each other to do better.”

First game of 2011: Thursday, Sept. 1 at Widener University. Game time is set for 3 p.m.

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Nick LaRosa

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