The women’s field hockey team demolished CSAC opponent Neumann University, 5-1 on Wednesday, Sept. 29. This was an especially important game for the Lady Cavs and they were happy with the end results.
The last time the Cavaliers faced off with the Knights was in the CSAC championship. Cabrini beat Neumann 2-1 to become the CSAC champions. Neumann was all about revenge on Wednesday.
“This game was an absolute must win,” Julie Smith, assistant coach, said. “This has become a CSAC rivalry since we beat them in the championship. We already lost to CSAC opponent, Immaculata, so this win today really helped us keep our heads up.”
Junior forward Lauren Alessi scored the first goal of the game to get the Lady Cavs started. Another goal soon followed by junior forward Steph Campanaro’s penalty shot to put the Lady Cavs up 2-0. A slight break in the defense with 18 minutes left in the second half to put the Lady Cavs up only 2-1.
Campanaro had a chance to put the Lady Cavs up a goal with another penalty shot but Neumann’s goalkeeper had a nice save and prevented Campanaro from having another goal. At the 17-minute mark, Alessi scored her second goal of the game and 30th career goal to put the Lady Cavs up 3-1.
There was no stopping the Lady Cavaliers after Alessi’s goal. With 14 minutes left, Maura Gordon scored her first goal of the game and fifth of the season with a credited assist to sophomore forward Lindsay Atzert. Less than 7 minutes later, Atzert tallied her own and last goal of the game to put the Lady Cavs up 5-1.
Other credited assists go to senior back Allie Rodolico on Alessi’s first goal of the game and junior midfielder Shannon Mulhern on Alessi’s second goal of the game. Alessi also tallied her own assist to Atzert at the end of the game.
With the Lady Cavs scoring three unanswered goals in the second half, they were all very happy with the outcome.
“We really don’t need any huge improvements,” Courtney Davis, senior special education major, said. “Our word for this season is focus. We all know and love to act silly and goof around but when it comes time to step on that field, we know what we need to do for those 70 minutes.”
Smith and Neary applauded Davis’ outstanding defensive game against the Knights.
The field hockey team is also looking for a repeat CSAC championship this year.
“If we play like we did tonight, there is no doubt we can make a run at the CSAC championship again,” Jackie Neary, head coach, said. “I’m very proud of these girls, they knew what they needed to do and that was win.”
The field hockey team is anticipating plenty more of tough components in the CSAC. After winning the championship last year, they have a target on their backs. That’s not going to stop them from wanting to repeat.
“The toughest team this year is probably between Gwynedd and Keystone. We have seen both teams in the playoffs the past two years,” Shannon Mulhern, business administration major, said. “They have a solid program, solid returners and a lot of resentment. If we play amazing like we did on Wednesday night, I have no doubt we can beat them too.”
The team will face off at the Edith Robb Dixon field against CSAC opponent, Keystone College on Saturday, Oct. 9 at 12 p.m.
