For the first time in four years the Lady Cavs prevailed over the Misericordia Cougars 4-0 on Saturday, Sept. 18 making their record 3-3. The 70-minute game was played with great intensity from all players, starters and bench.
“I sort of played off the fact that they haven’t beaten Misericordia to make them want the win. I asked the seniors if they really wanted to graduate being beaten by them again,” coach Jackie Neary said.
With three losses for the season, the Lady Cavs went into Saturday’s game with anticipation and determination due to the past games played against the Cougars.
In minute 10 of the game, two goals were scored against Misericordia’s goalkeeper Grace Riker, including junior forward Stephanie Campanaro’s penalty-stroke goal in the fourth minute. Within the next 6 minutes of the first half, junior forward Lauren Alessi provided her first of two goals of the game.
Besides the win, communication on the field was one of the team’s biggest triumphs of the day.
“They had excellent communication skills, which has been one of our hurdles in past games. It’s easy to play when you’re winning but in difficult game situations communication is key,” Neary said. “The girls played high-level aggressive field hockey the entire game against Misericordia and had no let downs.”
Since Cabrini hasn’t won against Misericordia in four years, many players were eager to play against them.
“It felt amazing to beat Misericordia. Our team hasn’t beat Misery since I’ve been here and last year we didn’t play our best game against them so it was a really huge victory to finally beat them, especially by as much as we did,” Allie Rodolico, senior defensive back, said.
Only minutes into the second half, junior midfielder Maura Gordon scored against the Cougars bringing the scoreboard to 4-0 where it stayed for the remainder of the game.
Senior goalkeeper Caitlin Donahue played a solid 61 minutes and let no ball get past her. Sophomore goalkeeper Vicky King relieved Donahue and kept the shutout score.
For freshmen that are new to the team and haven’t played against Misericordia, this win was just as much appreciated.
“During the Misericordia game we finally got it together and put a bunch of goals in and I feel like that is exactly what we needed. If we keep up the hard work there is no doubt we can win the CSAC title again and I would love to be a part of that,” Samantha LaMaina, freshman defensive back, said.
Neary looks forward to another CSAC title but feels she needs to instill one mindset in her team for the remainder of the season.
“I’ve been using one word in particular this season: focus. To be focused and determined the entire game, not one half,” Neary said.
Although the teams record is 3-3, the Lady Cavs are still a threat and more determined than ever to come back with another title.
“We have all been working hard to getting our ‘game shape’ back so this week going into the conference games should be exciting to revisit some teams who are looking to knock us out of our spot,” Shannon Mulhern, senior center midfield, said. “With a target on our back no game is going to be easy and we are going to have to play every game like it is the championship game because everyone is out for keeps this season.”
