MADISON, NJ – The Cabrini field hockey team opened the 2017 season today, suffering a 3-2 overtime loss to Lebanon Valley College at the Drew University Fall Festival.

The Blue and White grabbed control of the game early, as senior Brittany Smith found classmate Sara Johnsen for a 1-0 lead in the 14th minute. The lead was short-lived, as the Dutchmen leveled the score six minutes later.

Cabrini regained the lead in the 29th minute, as two shots by senior Victoria Marchiani were saved, but fellow senior Maddy Worley was in the right spot to score the rebound.

The Cavaliers carried their slim lead into the second half, when Lebanon Valley turned up its pressure.  

The Dutchmen outshot Cabrini 16-4 in the second half, but senior goaltender Taylor Bookman was up to the task.  The senior recorded a career high 16 saves in the loss, including 10 in the second half. 

Lebanon Valley managed to get one second half shot past Bookman, a 42nd minute penalty stroke.

With both teams trying to grab the lead, Bookman kept the Cavaliers alive, posting eight saves in the final 10 minutes of regulation. On the other side of the field, Cabrini created several chances in the final minute, recording three penalty corners and two shots to no avail.

The Dutchmen immediately created a scoring chance in overtime, as Bookman made one save before Lebanon Valley's Cecile Kat converted the rebound just 25 seconds into the extra period.

Johnson, Marchiani, Smith and Worley notched two shots each, as the Blue and White was outshot 26-10.

Olivia Poltonavage paired a goal and an assist for Lebanon Valley (1-0), while goaltender Victoria ByDeley posted two saves.

The Cavaliers have little time to regroup, as they will face No. 6 William Smith on Saturday at 3:30pm.