The women’s soccer team defeated CSAC opponent Cedar Crest 7-0 to improve their season record to 6-1. The victory on Saturday, Sept. 18 was also the Cavaliers’ first CSAC win this year.
“Getting our first CSAC win is huge since we are in a battle for a top-six spot in the conference,” coach Ken Prothero, in his ninth season with the team, said. “It’s a good way to rebound from our last game, a loss to No. 22 Eastern.”
The Cavaliers played a relentless game at Edith Robb Dixon Field, outshooting Cedar Crest 43-1, including 28-1 in the first period alone. Sophomores Dana Drake and Alex Tralie, who scored twice, accounted for Cabrini’s first three goals of the afternoon.
The second period of the game was no different as senior Brianna Conner scored the team’s fourth goal of the game less than a minute into the second period.
Junior Kara Hinkelmon, who assisted on both of Tralie’s goals in the first period, scored her second goal of the season to increase the lead to five goals.
Junior Amy Loesser and senior Gianna Porretta scored the final two goals of the afternoon for Cabrini. Porretta, who played goal in the first half and stopped one shot, scored her goal on a breakaway.
Freshman Sarah Means replaced Porretta in net in the second period and did not face any shots from Cedar Crest.
After winning the CSAC championship last season, the Cavaliers understand that they have high expectations.
“We’re off to a great start and we hope to make the playoffs and see what happens from there,” Porretta said in a message on Facebook. “This is going to be a very tough year. There are a lot of good teams in our conference but we really want this championship. We’re just taking one game at a time and we know we can’t take any team we play lightly.”
Junior exercise science and health promotion major Sammy Thompson, who is third on the team with eight points, echoed Porretta’s optimism about the season.
“We have a very athletic team and we expect big things out of everyone and so far, none of us have been disappointed,” Thompson said, via Facebook.
After Saturday’s win against Cedar Crest, the Lady Cavs have now won five of their games this season by shutout. In seven games overall, the women’s soccer team has outscored their opponents by a margin of 20-3.
“We have to feed off this win and go into Arcadia and play with a higher intensity,” Thompson said.
If the women’s soccer team hopes to repeat as CSAC champions, team chemistry will most likely play a large role. The Cavaliers have players from all different class years and skill levels on their roster.
“We’re also an extremely close team on and off the field. I think that this is very important and is going to be a key to our success this year,” Porretta said.
If the start to this season is any indication, the Lady Cavs should be one of the top teams in their conference.
“We need to win the games that we can,” Prothero said. “This year we want to be one of the top teams in our conference and reach the championship. We definitely have the talent to do that.”
