RADNOR, Pa. – The Cabrini field hockey team took sole possession of first place in the Colonial States Athletic Conference with tonight's 2-1 win over Gwynedd Mercy at Edith Robb Dixon Field.

With the win, the Blue and White extended their win streak to 11 games and improve to 12-3 overall and 7-0 in the CSAC.  The undefeated conference record marks the first time the Cavaliers have gone unbeaten in conference play since 2008.

By virtue of the win, Cabrini also earns the top seed in next week's CSAC Tournament, which guarantees the team will play its tournament games on its home turf.

Tonight also marked the final regular season home appearance for the Cabrini senior class, Rachel Antuzzi, Tori Canelli, Taylor Carroll, Karlie Gruccio, Amber Marshall, Danielle Palatano and Lex Setley.

Among the most successful classes in program history, the group has led Cabrini to 43 wins, including a 25-3 mark in conference games and three consecutive appearances in the CSAC championship game.

Fitting that it was a senior to lead the Cavaliers to victory, as Gruccio netted a pair of second half goals.

After 30 scoreless minutes to open the game, the Griffins struck first, as junior Stephanie Bacho found freshman Brianna O'Connell in the 31st minute.  

The Blue and White trailed by a slim one goal margin at the half, when head coach Jackie Neary refocused her troops.  The Cavaliers returned to the field with a new sense of calm and determination.
The speech paid off as Cabrini recorded 10 second half shots and seven penalty corners.      

Palatano found Gruccio in the 45th minute of play to even the score at 1-1.  Just over four minutes later, Gruccio returned to score book with an unassisted tally for her 13th goal of the season.

Gwynedd Mercy mounted a late charge, including a pair of penalty corners in the final two minutes of play, but freshman Taylor Bookman recorded one of her two saves on the night to seal the win.

Cabrini attempted 14 shots to just four for the Griffins and earned nine penalty corners to Gwynedd Mercy's four.  Gruccio and junior Kerry Anne Farrell led the Blue and White with four shots each.

Senior goaltender Kelly Kruk tallied six saves for Gwynedd Mercy (13-4, 6-1 CSAC), who saw its nine game win streak snapped with the loss.

Cabrini will close the season on Saturday, as the club travels to Reading to face Alvernia University (11-7, 5-2 Commonwealth).  Game time is slated for 11 a.m.