The Lady Cavs soccer team defeated the Keystone College Giants on Saturday, Oct. 1, by a score of 4-0. This marked Cabrini’s fifth win of the season.
Over and above the team’s ability to score, teamwork proved to be a huge factor in the team’s win, as did the leadership of head coach Ken Prothero.
From the moment the Cabrini team stepped onto the field, the tempo of the game favored the Lady Cavs.
The scoring was opened by senior midfielder Sammy Thompson, who scored her second goal of the season in minute 11. The next goal went to freshman Melissa Scanzano in minute 15.
Senior forward/midfielder Kara Hinkelmon assisted on Thompson’s goal and then added her own in the first half to give the Cavs a 3-0 lead at the half.
When the second half opened, and the battle was already long in the favor of the Lady Cavs. Sophomore Lauren Pallister notched the team’s final goal as Cabrini shut out the Giants.
The win and great scoring were a major confidence boost for the Lady Cavs. Again, the key word in this victory was teamwork.
“We have a lot more veterans on our team as well as the advantage of experience,” Prothero said. “Our team is still young and half of the players are completely new but we are developing strong team chemistry every day.”
According to team captain, junior Maddy Edwards, there was not a doubt in any player’s mind that the victory would be theirs. The team has a few new members but they are clearly working well together. Each week the squad is getting closer and closer.
“We’re one big family,” Edwards said. “We are always working as a team and working collectively. We are learning from our mistakes and constantly improving.”
Edwards, Erin Gallagher and Sarah Means combined for the one-save shutout. The Cavs outshot Keystone by a 22-2 margin.
With wins in three of their last four games, it is clear that the players are starting to gel as a team.
“The upperclassmen on the team take the freshmen under their wings,” Edwards said. “I love all the players. We have such great chemistry both on and off the field.”
“We’re encouraging team members on and off the field,” sophomore Brianna Thompson said. “We have a long talk before each game on the best way to play. More importantly, we work as a full team and not as just individual players. It does feel good to win, especially in a conference game.”
It goes without saying that after a win like this, the Lady Cavs feel resolute and ready for their next game.
“Our heads are high for the next game,” Edwards said. “We’re very confident.”