The Lady Cavs enjoyed a 2-1 victory against Marywood University on Saturday, Sept. 25 at Cabrini College.
Stephanie Campanaro, junior forward and exercise science and health promotions major, scored both of the goals that led the women’s field hockey team to the victory.
Throughout the entire game the Cavaliers presented two common themes. The ladies played tenacious defense and seized every opportunity to shoot the ball. In the first half alone, the Cavaliers took five shots compared to Marywood University’s one attempt to score.
As each shot was taken the fans held their breath in hopeful anticipation. The most vocal of all the fans was a small collection of parents affectionately known as the top-shelf group. Sitting in the highest row of the bleachers with their cowbells in hand, they never stopped cheering for the Lady Cavs.
“Honestly, I think that since the second game of the season the whole team is really pouring it on. They have really gelled. They just need to make it to the back of the net,” Crail Gordon, father of midfielder Maura Gordon and top-shelf group member, said.
During the second half, another seven shots were collectively taken by Campanaro and Gordon. Suddenly, with roughly six minutes left in the second half, Campanaro scored her first goal while taking a penalty shot. Kathryn Morin quickly followed suit, scoring Marywood University’s only goal of the game just a few minutes later.
“The spirit of the crowd is part of what makes the games so exciting. Cabrini has very dedicated field hockey parents,” John Solewin, father of sophomore forward Kate Solewin, said.
The score was deadlocked at 1-1 by the end of the second half and the game was forced into overtime. After 70 minutes of intense play, the Cavaliers entered the third half, craving the taste of victory.
“Going into overtime we talked about getting pumped up, playing with our hearts and playing like a family,” Gordon said.
With 10 minutes on the clock, the Cavaliers fired another five shots but struggled to get the ball passed Marywood’s goalie Jamie Bowman. After a grueling back- -and-forth battle, Campanaro gained possession of the ball. She raced up the right side of the field and brought the ball into prime shooting position. She raised her stick and plunged the ball deep into Marywood’s goal, winning the game for the Cavaliers.
“I was just hoping the ball went in. I was just trying to make something happen,” Campanaro said.
“I am glad to have the win. I know I have a very talented group in front of me. I am just trying to get the most out of them. We need to focus on just finishing in the circle,” Jackie Neary, head coach, said.
Cabrini’s next CSAC game takes place on Saturday, Oct. 9. The Cavaliers will face Keystone College at Cabrini’s Edith Robb Dixon Field.
