With the playoffs in sight, the Cabrini women’s soccer team took the field at Cabrini against Centenary College on Tuesday, Oct. 23, and took home a win by a score of 1-0.
The Lady Cavs came on the field with determination and had one thing in mind: winning. The Cyclones were two places behind Cabrini in the CSAC standings. The Lady Cavs needed a victory tonight in order to secure a better seed in this year’s playoffs.
The game was a battle between two tough defenses that were creating problems for offenses trying to find the goal.
However, in the first half at the 29-minute mark, the Lady Cavs were able to score from a goal by freshman Kerri Hinkelmon.
The shot deflected off the hands of Centenary goalkeeper Megan Williams and into the net. It was Hinkelmon’s first collegiate goal.
“When I shot it, the goalie had it,” Hinkelmon said. “Then my teammates screamed my name, ‘Kerri, it went in!’”
The excitement was felt throughout the bleachers as the Lady Cavs went into halftime leading the Centenary College Cyclones.
As the second half started, both teams returned with similar styles of play. The whole night, the Lady Cavs were able to keep pressure on the defense and had a few chances to advance the lead but couldn’t seem to take advantage.
The Lady Cavs were determined to come out and win this game tonight because it was important in their future playoff bid. The famous quote of “defense wins championships” was in full effect in tonight’s action as the Lady Cavs put a stop to any momentum the Cyclones were gaining.
“We were pretty excited that we were holding them,” senior Morgan Hudson, said.
As the time ticked down, the Lady Cavs lone goal was enough to hold off the Cyclones.
“Being that this win was crucial for a bye in the playoffs, we all played with great heart,” senior Dana Drake said. “Going into the game, I knew it was going to be challenging and competitive. We knew as a team we needed to play on the same page with high intensity.”
The Lady Cavs proved that tonight they are going to be a serious team in this year’s playoffs as they prepare to defend last year’s CSAC title.
“I think tonight we had a lot of heart and that’s what won it for us,” assistant coach Molly Chenot said.
Just because the Lady Cavs are in the playoffs after this win doesn’t mean the last game against Cedar Crest College will be taken lightly. With a win against Cedar Crest, the Lady Cavs will secure a first-round bye and automatically host a semifinal game.
“In order to get a bye in the playoffs and host a game, we need to come out with a win over Cedar Crest,” Drake said.
The Lady Cavs’ quest to return to the CSAC semifinal will be on Saturday, Oct. 27, against Cedar Crest College. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m.
