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RADNOR, Pa. – The top-seeded Cabrini field hockey team will play for the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) crown following a 3-2 shootout win in the semifinal round against fourth-seeded Marywood University Wednesday at Edith Robb Dixon Field. Sophomore goalkeeper Caitlin Donahue stoned each of the three shots she faced in the strokes session.
The Cavaliers will host second-seeded Neumann College Saturday in championship game at Edith Robb Dixon Field. Cabrini, now riding a 13-game win streak dating back to September 18, knocked off the Knights 2-1 October 11 during the regular season.
After Cabrini's Lynda Kaufmann and Marywood's Kari Eiklor missed stroke attempts to begin the shootout session, Cavaliers freshman Lauren Alessi, the CSAC Rookie of the Year, broke the stalemate with the extra period's first score.
Following Donahue's second stop, senior Melissa Benedetti's try was successful, handing Cabrini a 2-0 advantage. Donahue's third save with the pad set the stage for the contest's final shot.
Freshman Stephanie Campanaro beat Marywood goalkeeper Jennifer Miller stick-side, clinching the victory for the Cavaliers.
Donahue collected four saves in the victory for Cabrini. Miller stopped eight shots for the Pacers.
The Cavaliers took control early, grabbing a 2-0 advantage less than 10 minutes following the opening whistle. Benedetti's 10th goal of the season supplied the hosts with a 1-0 advantage in the 5th minute. The score came way off a penalty stroke forced inside the circle.
Rookie Maura Gordon provided Cabrini with a two-goal cushion at the 9:34 mark, depositing a marker off a scramble in front of the Pacers' cage.
Marywood responded, scoring two unanswered goals separated by less than four minutes. Mary Potorski trimmed the Cavaliers' lead to one score with a goal at the 14:31 mark, tipping a shot from Julie Dougherty past Donahue.
The Pacers evened the contest in the 19th minute after Caity Hadzimichalis converted a one-timer off from 12-yards out off a feed from Potorski.
Cabrini out-shot Marywood, 18-11, and held a commanding 13-6 edge in penalty corners.
Game time for Saturday's championship is to be announced.
