Shane EvansThe men’s roller hockey team kicks-off its fourth season next week. To students oblivious of this team: brace yourself because the sport is rapidly growing. Four years ago, there were very few colleges involved in this sport. Recently, it has spread all over the country.
Roller hockey games are divided into three 15-minute periods where the clock only stops at a penalty. The games are played on an innovative type of flooring called sport court. This rubber-like playing surface is smooth and gentler on roller blade wheels.
According to players on the team, sport court increases the speed of the game, which creates more excitement. Cabrini games and practices are held at the Marple Sports Arena in Broomall, Pa.
Rich DeMatteo, a senior psychology major, has been on the team since its first premier in the league. DeMatteo is also the team captain and a two-time all-star game MVP.
“I have a really good feeling about this year. We have a few good freshman players and a great goalie returning,” De Matteo said.
This year, a controversial decision was made to cut down the number of players from 12 to eight. “People were complaining about not enough playing time and the game just runs smother with eight players,” DeMatteo said.
Due to this reduction, Cabrini had to hold tryouts last week. Only nine of the 25 students who tried out were chosen.
Cabrini is scheduled to play in two leagues this year. One league is basically an intramural league format. The competition isn’t as fierce on this level. However, it is still taken very seriously. The games are played on Monday nights. The cost to play in the Monday night league is $120.
The other league is the Philadelphia Collegiate Roller Hockey League. There are more advanced teams in this association. Drexel, Lehigh, St. Joe’s and UPenn, are just a few of the teams Cabrini faces.
Two tiers in the PCRHL split up the competition. Cabrini is placed in tier one where the teams are much more talented. Each player must dish out $244 to participate in the main league.
“We have a great rivalry going against St. Joe’s,” DeMatteo said. The games are regularly on Sunday nights at Marple Sports Arena.
On average, 30 spectators traditionally attend the games. The fan seating is right beside the court and spectator comments are well-received. “This has caused quite a few arguments among fans, but it’s all just part of the game,” DeMatteo said.
Kyle Foley, a junior criminal justice major, has never attended a game. “I would definitely go to games if I got to see people get nailed,” Foley said. The Marple Sports Arena is only 10 minutes from campus.
“It’s something close and fun to do on a Sunday night when you feel like you are stuck on campus,” DeMatteo said. If interested in playing on the roller hockey team next semester, contact Rich DeMatteo at rbd722@cabrini.edu.
Posted to the web by Shane Evans
