There may be snow on the ground, but spring sports are just around the corner. With several teams looking to make waves in the new Atlantic East Conference (AEC) in 2019, here’s everything there is to know heading into the season.
Men’s Lacrosse
While the schedule may look different, the Cavaliers’ goal remains the same. Picked as the number one team in the AEC in the pre-season coaches’ poll, their expectations are pretty simple heading into 2019.
“We expect to win every single game during the season and to be playing in Lincoln Financial Field come championship weekend,” Jordan Krug, senior attacker and two-time All-American, said. Krug, a marketing major, is a two-time first team All-CSAC (Colonial States Athletic Conference) recipient and the reigning CSAC Player of the Year.
While they brought back their star, it isn’t just a one-man-show. The Cavaliers also return all of their top five scorers from a year ago, including Krug, senior Timmy Brooks and junior Matt LoParo, both attackers.
Men’s lacrosse opened the season on Feb. 16 with a 19-3 win over Haverford College.
Women’s Lacrosse
Coming off of a CSAC title in 2018, the Cavs didn’t lose many players off last year’s team. Among the returners is senior Avery Murphy, who accounted for more than 100 points a year ago. They also bring back one of their top defenders in senior Katie Kucia, and their top goalie Devon Scharf.
The Cavaliers come into the season holding the top spot in the AEC coaches’ poll, and open the season on Feb. 19 at Ursinus College.
Baseball
The Diamond Cavs had their best season in their program’s short history in 2018, sporting a 20-19 win-loss record and reaching the CSAC playoffs. In 2019, now in the AEC, they are looking to take the next step. They are led offensively by returning sophomores Mack McKisson and JD Barrett. McKisson won CSAC Rookie of the Year and was named to first team All-CSAC. Barrett was All-CSAC Honorable Mention.
Baseball opened the season Feb. 15, winning both games of a double-header against the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC.
Softball
After finishing second in CSAC regular season play a year ago, the Cavaliers went home from the playoffs after two losses. For the returning players, that is motivation enough.
“The returnees saw that we were picked fourth [in the AEC coaches’ poll] and we know that we need to show this new conference what we got,” Ally Schell, junior right fielder and business management major, said. “We can’t wait to start conference play and show everyone that preseason polls mean nothing.”
They also return 2018 first team All-CSAC third baseman Aysiah Cintron and senior shortstop Darian Caputo.
Softball opens the season in Florida Feb. 24 against Northern Vermont University-Johnson.
Men’s Tennis
Men’s tennis won the CSAC in 2018, and will look to follow it up with an AEC title in 2019. Led by sophomore Vince Paetow, the Cavaliers went 3-0 in the fall portion of their schedule.
Men’s tennis resumes March 14 at home against Eastern University.
Women’s Tennis
Women’s tennis went 6-9 in 2018, but with a large group of freshman they believe that their best days are ahead. Led by junior Sydney Lynch, the Cavaliers went 0-3 in the fall portion of their schedule but will look to turn things around this spring.
Women’s tennis resumes March 14 at Eastern University.
Men’s Golf
The men’s golf team is off to a good start to the 2018-19 campaign, taking five top-three finishes in the fall portion of their schedule. Led by freshman Daniel Murphy, who took first at the 2018 Atlantic East Fall Break Classic, they look to continue that momentum and claim a conference title.
Men’s golf resumes March 25 at the Dickinson College Invitational.
Women’s Golf
The women’s golf team is led by sophomore Abi Fricke and freshman Vic Monterosso and looks to gain momentum in the spring part of their season.
They resume play April 2 at the Keystone College Invitational.
Rowing
Women’s rowing looks to follow up a strong fall with a better spring, led by junior captain Victoria Anderson.
Their season resumes March 23 at the Murphy Cup.
With all of Cabrini’s spring sports getting started, there is plenty of action to look forward to throughout the final few months of the school year, and hopefully, a few championships as well.
