Vickie PapageorgeThey went from a team without a win, to a team on a two game winning streak. Field hockey’s strong first half led to their second consecutive win of the season in a thrilling, yet hard-fought victory against Arcadia University on Sept. 29, winning 4-3.
A warm, yet breezy afternoon set the stage for Saturday’s game on Cabrini’s home field, as Fall Fest weekend kicked off. Family and friends piled in to catch a non-conference game.
It appeared as though the field was tilted towards Arcadia’s goal in the first half as Cabrini dominated play. Junior Melissa Benedetti scored the first goal for the Cavs, followed by another from sophomore Bridget Bergen for a 2-0 lead within the first 25 minutes of the game. Bergen scored yet another goal with just two minutes left in the half, making the score comfortable at 3-0.
Arcadia had just one shot in the first half.
Entering the second half, Cabrini’s lead quickly diminished as Arcadia rallied and found themselves only one goal behind. The two unanswered goals by Arcadia’s forward put much pressure on the Cavalier defense, untested in the first.
Cavalier’s freshman goalie Caitlin Donahue made a huge save on a two-on-one disadvantage to keep the lead just long enough for Bergen’s third and final goal to enter the Arcadia net.
Before Bergen could even get a word out, her teammates and coach were willing to speak for her.
“The goal really picked up the team after a slow start to the second half,” said Shannon Mulhern, a freshman undeclared major.
“Bergen’s third goal was wonderful,” coach Jackie Neary said. “I was on Bridget all September. She is becoming a leader and I am very proud of her.”
“Today we really pulled everything together and played when under pressure of Arcadia’s rally,” Bergen said.
The women never lost the lead, but came close once again by giving up another goal before finally winning 4-3. Bergen’s goal proved to be the game winner.
“A team with a lead as big as we had tends to give it up when they relax their play,” Neary said. “Most importantly, we got the win.”
With the win, the girls are already looking forward to their upcoming games.
“It was a fun game and I can’t wait for October,” Ashley Walton, a freshman elementary education major, said.
