HARTFORD, CT – The Cabrini field hockey team's bid for an NCAA Tournament victory fell short in the final minutes, as the Cavaliers suffered a 7-5 loss at No. 9 Trinity College in the opening round of the postseason tournament.
The loss ends the Blue and White's season with an overall record of 12-8.
Tonight's defeat also marks the final game for Cabrini seniors
Taylor Mack and
Kylie McDevitt.
The duo helped the Cavaliers to 47 career wins, including a 25-3 record in the Colonial States Athletic Conference and the 2015 and 2016 league championships.
The pair led the Cavaliers tonight, combining for four goals and an assist, as McDevitt scored a career high three goals, while Mack added a goal and an assist.
Junior
Alex Swallow made program history just 86 seconds into the game, as she turned a pass from classmate
Jackie Neary into the game's first goal and the program's first goal in NCAA Tournament play.
The Bantams responded with goals in the 15th and 16th minute. The Blue and White didn't trail for long, as McDevitt scored her first goal in the 18th minute.
The game remained tied for 10 minutes before Trinity regained its lead. The Cavaliers again had an answer, as McDevitt's penalty stroke goal evened the score at 3-3 heading into halftime.
Despite Cabrini's best efforts, Trinity began to pull away in the second half, as it outshot the Cavaliers 16-3 after the break.
The Bantams built a 5-3 lead with goals in the 42nd and 52nd minutes. Mack cut into the Blue and White deficit in the 54th minute, turning a pass from freshman
Katie Kucia into her 18th goal of the campaign.
Trinity put the game away with consecutive goals in the 60th and 63rd minute to build a three goal cushion with just minutes to play.
Mack and McDevitt put a bow on their collective careers, as the pair combined for Cabrini's final goal of the season in the 70th minute of play.
The Cabrini defense held its own as the Bantams recorded 30 shots on the night, including 23 on target.
The Cavaliers' junior goaltender
Taylor Bookman anchored the effort, matching a career high with 15 saves.
Alison Slowe led Trinity with four goals, while Kelcie Finn recorded a school record five assists and a game high 11 shots.
With the win, the Bantams improve to 13-4 on the season and advance to Saturday's second round, where they will face No. 6 Ursinus College in Salisbury, MD.
