Men’s soccer fought fiercely against nationally-ranked Eastern, but eventually fell with a final score of 3-1.
Fifteen minutes into the first, Eastern flexed its muscle when Lance Burris, a sophomore forward, scored. Cabrini’s defense kept them in the game by keeping the score at 1-0 at halftime.
Eastern scored early in the second half to put Cabrini down by two. The goal came off of a corner kick by senior, Mahaish Alexander, and was finished by senior midfielder, Daniel Carvalho. Eastern’s men were very vocal and ran like a finely tuned machine. Cabrini kept up well but could not put one away until there was only five minutes to go.
With 5:42 left in the game, No. 9 forward, Brent Benner, rallied his team by taking on Eastern’s goalie, Brandon Ziegler, knocking the ball loose and putting it away.
Cabrini’s newly renewed spirit was crushed when Carvalho set Bryce Plummer up for the third Eastern goal which clinched the game. Cabrini’s defense was playing a man down because in an effort to tie the game, they had moved three forwards up top.
Brent Benner earned his tenth goal of the season, and his scoring streak stretched to seven matches.
Eastern outshot Cabrini 26-9 but Cabrini’s defense, Robinson, Blaney, Gilchrist and goalie, Hinkelmon kept Cabrini in the game by stifling their success to only three goals.
Colin Hinkelmon kept Cabrini spirits up by keeping the team vocal. Captain Ian McDonald did the same from the sidelines because of a stress fracture in his right shin. He stood by the coach and helped push the men.
Cabrini frustration showed in the game when Dave Malosiecki received a yellowcard for language. Joe Rotan also got one for having words with the referee. Brent Benner was also warned for a shove.
Eastern fans came out in big numbers along with Cabrini fans to see the rivals go at it. Cabrini’s dance team had sold shirts that read, “Friends don’t let friends go to Eastern” and they could be seen on the sidelines. Eastern’s women’s soccer showed up together in uniform.
Jen Pyott, a pre-nursing sophomore, and Cabrini fan, thought they were playing really well and said, “They have great spirit.”
Joe Zullo, a mathematics sophomore, said, “Next year they will be a lot better. This year is a rebuilding year.”
Eastern stands at ninth in the country according to a poll put out by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. They also ranked No. two in the NCAA Division three mid-Atlantic region.
When the rivals met last year, Cabrini walked across the street together and met the opposition on Eastern terf. Cabrini came out on top with a final score of 1-0, although Eastern had outshot them 14-4.
Barry Magagna was able to put the Cavaliers on top with the only goal.
The rivalry and frustration showed last year as well with two yellow cards and one red card being given out.
The cross-street rivalry continues, this year, Eastern went home with the victory.
Cabrini’s record now stands at 4-11-2 overall and 2-6 within the PAC.
The men face Ursinus on Monday, Oct 24 in a non-league match. The men then travel on Oct. 29 to Arcadia, which is ranked number 20 in the nation’s NSCAA poll.
Posted to the web by Brian Coary.
