The Cabrini women’s soccer team opened their 2009 season on Tuesday, Sept. 1, with a huge win over Centennial Conference opponent Franklin & Marshall College.
This is the first time in the program’s history that they came out on the victorious end against F&M. The final score was 2-0 behind junior goalkeeper Gianna Poretta who had six saves in the win and recorded her first shutout of the season.
“This was a huge win for us, we have worked hard all throughout preseason and there are many injuries within the team, but to come out on top against such a competitive team is a great feeling,” Gianna Poretta, junior elementary education major, said.
Offensively, freshman Maddy Edwards and Alex Tralie were the sparks for the lady Cavs.
The rookie duo each scored one goal in the first half, beating the F&M goalkeeper Katie Golding. The goals were scored within 26 seconds of each other.
The first goal was scored by Edwards who got a ball from sophomore Sammy Thompson setting her up for a breakaway at the 36-minute mark.
Tralie followed by getting a give-and-go from Thompson at the 37-minute mark. The Cavaliers had the lead at halftime even though they were behind 11-4 in the shots on goal department.
“Defense wins games and that was definitely true for tonight’s game against F&M. They are an awesome team and we knew we had to come out and play strong defense to win the game,” Sammy Thompson, sophomore exercise science and health promotion, said.
The Cabrini defense kept F&M’s offense away from their goal in the second half only allowing them five shots on goal. The shutout was the eighth of Porretta’s career.
“What an awesome way to start our season, there are a lot of us with injuries but this just proved how much heart we have and what we can do when we work as a team,” Amanda Ribakusky, senior marketing major, said.
Cabrini picks up play on Friday Sept. 4.