The Lady Cavs started the playoffs strong against the Neumann Knights in the CSAC Tournament semi-final, shutting out the Knights, 1-0, to advance to the CSAC Final for the second straight season.
Under the lights on Friday, Nov. 2, at Edith Robb Dixon Field with a crowd of 214 cheering Cabrini and Neumann fans, Cabrini women’s soccer challenged Neumann. The weather could not stop the Cavaliers despite a chilly night and drizzling rain.
The Lady Cavs found the net early. Sophomore Gabby Meck fired a shot past goalkeeper Briana King in the game’s 17th minute to give the Lady Cavs the lead. Senior Dana Drake assisted on Meck’s fourth goal of the season.
That goal would hold up through the first half. The Cavaliers were clearly dominating the action, outshooting the Knights 6-1 in the first half and forcing King to make two saves.
The women’s soccer team kept up the hard work in their defense in the second half of the game period and did not let Neumann take control. They continued to outshoot the Knights with a second half total of 3-1 and limited Neumann opportunities.
Senior goalkeeper Maddy Edwards only had to make one save in the game. The stifling defense of the Lady Cavs featuring Edwards and junior MaryKate McCann made it difficult for the Knights to get chances and ultimately helped keep the shutout in tact for the full 90 minutes.
In the end, the lone goal by Meck was enough and the Lady Cavs’ drive to defend their title remained alive going into Sunday’s CSAC Final.
The Lady Cavs look to win back-to-back titles and complete their playoff run when they host Gwynedd-Mercy College on Sunday, Nov. 4, at 1 p.m. The fifth-ranked team in the conference upset top-seeded Marywood to advance to the Final. Cabrini will host the Sunday afternoon final at Edith Robb Dixon Field.
