Cabrini’s men’s soccer team beat Arcadia University 2-1 on Saturday, Sept. 27.
Cabrini came out strong creating some great chances in the early going.
Sophomore Troy Allen was all over the pitch throughout the game, providing Cabrini with a few chances off free kicks in the first few minutes. This would set the stage for the rest of the game with Cabrini claiming a 7-2 advantage in corners.
The game progressed naturally, with both teams battling hard and creating chances.
Twenty-five minutes into the first half, Cabrini capitalized on a scrappy play in the box to score, but the point was called back for a Cabrini player being offsides.
Arcadia would answer Cabrini’s scare with a little scare of their own, when five minutes later, two Arcadia players pushed forward with a two-on-one advantage and pushed the shot just wide.
Later in the half, with 11:21 to play, Cabrini’s senior goal keeper Colin Hinkelmon left his box to make a phenomenal save. Hinkelmon then quickly rushed back to goal when the ball ended up at Arcadia’s senior striker Matt Benner’s feet, who took a shot, and Allen deflected the ball off of his head to make another save to help out his scrambling goalie.
However, an Arcadia player was arguably off sides, according to the opinion of Cabrini players.
“He was offsides and Troy made a great save off the line, and we had a little defensive breakdown,” senior back Brett Butler said.
Arcadia senior striker Matt Benner then capitalized on all the confusion and scored the only goal of the first half.
To begin the second half, coach Glen Jaskelewicz made a strategic coaching decision to make five substitutions at half time. This decision did not create a goal, but it did, however, get Cabrini’s key players moving in the right direction.
Then, senior back John Graham placed a shot from outside the box right through the hands of the Arcadia goal keeper.
“It was one break in the game we got, and luck started to bounce our way,” Butler said.
The goal came with 18 minutes left to play, tying the game at one goal a piece.
Cabrini then sealed the deal with four minutes left when senior Mike McDevitt had a brilliant one-time touch in the box and scored.
“Mike is definitely finding the net this year and is having a great start to the season,” Butler said.
The goal gave McDevitt five goals for the season and Cabrini a 2-1 victory over Arcadia.
