Box Score

RADNOR, Pa. – For the third time in the last four years, the Cabrini College women's soccer team will play for the CSAC championship and automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.  The Cavaliers topped Neumann University 1-0 in tonight's CSAC semifinal match at Edith Robb Dixon Field.  

The victory improves the Cavaliers to 9-6-3 overall and avenges the Blue and White's only CSAC loss on the year. The Cavaliers will host Gwynedd-Mercy College on Sunday at 1 p.m. for the conference championship match.

The game's sole tally came at the 17 minute mark when senior Dana Drake turned the right corner and played a ball into the middle.  Sophomore Gabby Meck broke to the ball where her left foot redirected the ball into Neumann's net.  The goal was Meck's team leading 4th tally of the season.

The Cavaliers carried the 1-0 advantage into the halftime break after slowing the Knights offensive attack.  Neumann mustered just one shot in the opening 45 minutes of action and secured just two corner kicks.

The Blue and White tightened the screws in the second half.  With a 1-0 lead, the Cavaliers turned to its defense to hold down the fort.  Led by junior center backs MaryKate McCann and Bree Thompson, Cabrini thwarted every attempt the Knights tried to create.  

When they weren't there, senior goaltender Maddy Edwards was on-hand to control the penalty area.  Edwards recorded just one save in securing her 24th career shutout, but she was fearless in grabbing every loose ball in her area.

The Cavaliers held Neumann to just two shots, well below their 15 per game average, neither resulting a solid scoring chance.  Led by sophomore Melissa Scanzano's four shots, Cabrini totaled nine shots on the game, five on target.

Neumann Briana King recorded four saves in the loss.

Tonight's victory sets up Sunday's championship match against Gwynedd-Mercy.  The number five seeded Griffins upset top seeded Marywood 1-0 in Scranton, handing the Pacers their first loss to a conference opponent this season.  

Gwynedd-Mercy's Maura Gifford converted a 36th minute penalty kick and the Griffins held on for the victory.  Griffins' goaltender Jessica Tadley recorded 12 saves as the Pacers outshot Gwynedd-Mercy 25-7.  

In their previous meeting this season, the Cavaliers and Griffins battled to a 1-1 tie in Gwynedd Valley, Pa.   Drake got a foot on a loose ball inside the penalty area, scoring the game-tying goal in the 89th minute.