RADNOR, PA – The Cabrini field hockey team completed one of the biggest upsets in program history tonight at Edith Robb Dixon Field, as the Cavaliers scored a come-from-behind 4-3 victory over No. 3 the College of New Jersey.
Traililng 3-2 at the half, the Blue and White made the most of its three second half shots to secure the victory.
The win marks the first time since a 1-0 victory over then No. 12 TCNJ that the Blue and White has scored a win over a ranked team.
The triumph evened the Cavaliers' record at 2-2, while the Lions fell to 1-1 on the young season.
Cabrini jumped ahead in the opening minutes of the action, as the Blue and White posted four shots in the opening 90 seconds. On its second penalty corner of the opening minutes, senior
Taylor Mack found classmate
Kylie McDevitt who sent the ball back to Mack for the game's first goal at the 1:25 mark.
The Cavaliers continued to press the action, converting another penalty corner in the 11th minute. Mack put the ball in play with a pass to junior
Jackie Neary, who played the ball back to Mack for a shot that found the back of the cage.
Down 2-0, a TCNJ timeout refocused the Lions. Senior Jaclyn Douglas took over the rest of the half, netting three goals in a span of 18 minutes that gave TCNJ a 3-2 lead and the game's momentum at the half.
After managing five shots in the opening 5:16, Cabrini attempted just one more in the first half, while TCNJ fired 18 in the opening 35 minutes of action.
The Cavaliers withstood the Lions' initial press of the second half before taking advantage of a penalty corner in the 49th minute. After a blocked shot, Neary collected the loose ball and weaved through the TCNJ defense before beating the goaltender to even the score at 3-3.
Cabrini recorded just three shots after the halftime break, but junior
Maddy Worley made the most of the last one and her only attempt of the night. The junior collected a loose ball and beat a couple of defenders before slotting the ball into the net, sending the Blue and White ahead 4-3.
The Cavaliers then turned to its defense to close the game. TCNJ forced four penalty corners in the final 12 minutes, but the Cabrini defense held firm, surrendering just two shot, neither reaching junior goaltender
Taylor Bookman.
Mack recorded four of Cabrini's nine shots in the win, while the Lions posted 24 shots and forced 13 penalty corners to just five for the Cavaliers.
Bookman collected the victory notching four saves and several standout defensive plays. McDevitt and Taylor added defensive saves in the win.
The road gets no easier for Cabrini as it begins a three game stretch away from home, beginning with Saturday's trip to Gettysburg (1-1). Game time is scheduled for 1pm.