Cabrini women’s lacrosse looks to continue their complete dominance of the Atlantic East Conference, AEC, this upcoming season. The Cavaliers have won 20 conference titles in the 24 years since this program began and 10 conference championships in a row.
Newest additions
Although the Cavs lost a handful of important players to graduation, they gained a total of seven incoming freshmen and a new assistant coach, Macaul Mellor.
Mellor, University of Colorado lacrosse alumna, spoke highly about the freshman class, saying, “A big difference from last year is going to be that freshman class. We have a lot of speed and a lot of grit, so I am expecting them to learn a lot from our seniors and players coming back for a fifth year.”
The Cavaliers, however, have an extra year with graduate midfielders Shea Neary and Olivia Little, and at least two more years with junior defender Caroline Gallagher.
When asked about her new role as an upperclassman, Gallagher said, “Being a junior this year, I do think my role has changed; I feel like there is more pressure on me. The underclassmen definitely look up to the upperclassmen for help if they need it. However, I don’t let the role of being an upperclassman affect me too much, because I want to just be me and play the game and help others.”
Cabrini’s competition
This upcoming season, the Cavaliers have a handful of difficult matchups. Most of these matchups happen on the road as well.
Right out of the gate, the team goes up against Haverford in their second game of the year. The Cavs beat Haverford last year and ended their season.
When asked which game she was most excited about, Gallagher said, “The Haverford game. We played them in the first round of the NCAA tournament last year and I know they were not very happy when we beat them.” The Cavaliers travel to Haverford on Feb. 21 at 4 p.m.
The Cavs then go down to Florida for spring break where they will go up against Webber International University in Babson Park, Florida. The Cavaliers then return to Radnor and they get to go up against The College of New Jersey.
TCNJ was ranked number three overall in the country for the Division III preseason polls this year. The preseason polls is a poll that goes out and is voted upon coaches and members of the media across the country. The team lost to TCNJ last year, but won this past fall in field hockey. The Cavaliers travel to Ewing, New Jersey on Mar. 8 at 4 p.m.
One of the toughest games the Cavaliers will face this season is against Rowan University. The Cavs have historically struggled against that team, going 1-11, but they showed promise during last year’s matchup, taking the Rowan team to overtime. Mellor said, “I think Rowan is going to be a good game. After almost beating them last year, I think they are going to be our top game.” The Cavaliers travel to Glassboro, New Jersey on Mar. 29 at 4 p.m.
The Cavaliers begin their season with four road games against out-of-conference opponents. The women return back to Edith Robb Dixon Field on Saturday Mar. 11. They take on Widener University at noon.
Fans can support the Cavaliers by heading to their games or watching their livestreams on game day!
