There was a ton of buzz circling the Women’s Field Hockey team as the #3 TCNJ Lions came into Edith Robb Dixon Field for a non conference showdown. Cabrini’s Field Hockey came into the game with a (1-2) record and while TCNJ record was (1-0).
In the first half, the Cabrini’s Field Hockey team started the game with great energy and a competitors mindset as they took an early 2-0 lead over TCNJ. Both goals were scored by Senior Taylor Mack at the 33rd minute and 25th minute. On each possession, the girls continued to put pressure on TCNJ and it helped rattle them for a big portion of the game. TCNJ then responded with three goals of their own to take the lead into halftime 3-2.
It was a very exciting first half the intensity was very high which also carried off to the second half.
The second half was a very close contest, Junior Goalkeeper Taylor Bookmen and the rest of the Cabrini field hockey team really showed heart and determination after multiple saves, defensive stops, and two amazing goals scored by juniors Jackie Neary and Maddy Worely.
“All the girls on our team had my back and I had theirs and we actually scored; their was a lot of communication out there which helped us a lot,” Neary said.
As the clock started to get closer and closer to the final horn, the smell of an upset was in the air and in the stands but as that buzzer sounder the girls ran out onto the field in joy as they took down the top ranked (3) TCNJ with a score of 4-3. It was one of the biggest upsets in school history.
The whole team was very pleased with their performance against TCNJ especially Coach Jackie Neary.
“Today was an amazing win! This is one of the top teams in the country, so the fact that we were able to beat them I am blown away which is a good thing. the girls really showed how well they can play. The negative is now there is a higher expectation for us so they got to be prepared for that. People are not going to underestimate us but thats a good thing.” Coach Neary said.
In a very intense game like this, every Cabrini Field Hockey player came ready to play and brought great energy from start to finish, including junior captain Jackie Neary who was one of the girls that scored a goal to tie the game in the second half.
“I think our teamwork was really well tonight and we were connecting with each other all over the field. A huge positive in the game was when we were down and didn’t led up we came back out there and got another goal. Once we got it tied up we continued with our momentum and got another one.” Neary said.
Beating a nationally top 3 ranked team is huge but with that comes a lot of pressure.
“I think playing such a high level team we now have a higher expectation for ourselves and we should be playing like that every other game and just with such high intensity.” Neary said.
After a very exciting game Cabrini will try to bring the same intensity and effort as they make a run for the CSAC championship.
