Family Weekend always promises a big turnout of Cavalier sports fans. They proved to be just as dedicated as the teams during the men’s soccer game on Saturday, Sept. 22. Friends and family filled the bleachers, decorated in colorful rain gear, umbrellas in hand, as stormy weather threatened the game.
After both the field hockey and women’s soccer games on Edith Robb Dixon Field had both gone into overtime earlier in the day, the men’s soccer game against Cairn University had a delayed started. Shortly before the teams starting players were introduced to the crowd, it started to rain.
Although the weather posed as another obstacle to overcome, the Cavaliers didn’t let it phase them, netting a 3-0 victory over Cairn University.
Twenty-three minutes into the game, sophomore George Lambritsios received a pass from senior Anthony Girolamo and found the back of the Highlanders’ net, putting the blue and white on the scoreboard with his second goal for the season.
Girolamo followed in suit 10 minutes later, scoring a goal of his own with an assist from sophomore Sean Neary.
The weather picked up with nine minutes left in the first half and the game was delayed again due to lightning.
After a half hour delay, the Cavaliers and Highlanders took the field again to finish what they had started.
The rain had let up but the the Cavaliers weren’t so generous. They played out the remainder of the first half and came out just as strong as before.
Eight minutes into the second half, Girolamo took the ball down the field and soared it past the Highlanders’ keeper for a second time, bringing the score to 3-0.
The Cavaliers kept up the pressure, not letting the Highlanders keep possession of the ball for long or get another shot on goal.
The game ended with the Cavaliers on top, tallying up another win for men’s soccer. The Cavaliers outshot the Highlanders, 18-4, and leading the way in shots on goal with a lopsided 9-1 total. They started out their CSAC play strong, 1-0.
Eric Nowicki earned his second shutout for the season and sixth of his career by stopping the lone Highlanders’ shot on goal.
The Cavaliers will be taking on Gwynedd-Mercy College next in Gwynedd Valley on Wednesday, Oct. 3rd at 7 p.m. Their next home game is against Rosemont College on Monday, Oct. 8th at 4 p.m.
