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RADNOR, Pa. – The No. 1 seed Cabrini field hockey team hoisted the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) hardware for the second straight season on Saturday afternoon at Edith Robb Dixon Field, topping No. 2 seed Gwynedd-Mercy College, 3-1. Senior back Courtney Davis was named the game's most valuable player.
Under the direction of 15th-year head coach Jackie Neary, the victory advances the Cavaliers to the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive season and for just the second time in program history.
Junior forward Stephanie Campanaro led the Cabrini offense with three points on one goal and one assist. Junior forward Lauren Alessi and junior midfielder Maura Gordon also each tallied one score.
Alessi provided the Cavaliers with an early 1-0 lead, scoring her team-best 14th goal of the season and the contest's first goal in the 14th minute. Alessi re-directed a rebound off the pads of Gwynedd-Mercy freshman goalkeeper Christa Breidenstein into the back of the cage.
Campanaro converted her fourth penalty stroke goal of the season just over 10 minutes later, providing the Blue & White with a two-goal cushion and the eventual game-winning score.
Gordon deposited her 10th goal of the season in the 49th minute, pushing the Cavaliers' advantage to 3-0. Campanaro was credited with an assist on the play, setting up the goal with a pass to the front of the cage.
Gwynedd-Mercy salvaged the shutout with freshman forward Ashlee Lippincott's goal in the 60th minute.
Cabrini out-shot the Griffins for the game overall, 14-8. Davis, along with senior back Allie Rodolico, sophomore back Taylor McGarvey and freshman back Erin McLaughlin, stifled the Gwynedd-Mercy offense throughout the contest.
Senior goalkeeper and CSAC Player of the Year Caitlin Donahue posted five saves for her 43rd career win. Breidenstein tallied 10 stops in the loss for GMC.
The victory also clinches the 12th conference title won by Cabrini under Neary's leadership. She has guided the Cavaliers to 10 CSAC crowns in women's lacrosse and two in field hockey.
Cabrini (12-7) will learn of its NCAA Tournament fate on Monday, Nov. 8. The NCAA Division III Field Hockey Championship Committee will announced the tournament's field at 9 a.m. via ncaa.com.
