Bryn Athyn, PA - On Thursday night, Cabrini Women's Soccer was on the winning end of a physical battle with Bryn Athyn.

Twenty five minutes into the game, Cabrini was fouled on the right side of their attacking zone. After their free kick cross was headed backwards, Maggie McCay managed to meet the deflection with a bicycle kick attempt. McCay chipped the ball high into the air toward Bryn Athyn's goal box, but the Lion's keeper was able to get under the ball before any Cavaliers forwards could redirect it past her.

In another exciting first half chance, Jenna DeTetta stepped into a shot from the corner of the eighteen-yard box. She laced a right-footed strike toward the face of Bryn Athyn's goal, but their keeper jumped and punched it over the crossbar. 

The match's intensity rose after the break.

In the game's 56th minute, play was paused to hand out three yellow cards, all part of a single sequence. After exactly one hour of game time, a red card was issued to Bryn Athyn.

One minute after the red, Makalia Ley played a pass ahead to Gabby Palladino. Palladino carried deep into the Bryn Athyn territory, where she was ultimately brought down in the box. This foul set up a Cabrini penalty shot for Rebekah Cunningham, who buried the attempt into the lower left corner of the goal.

Cabrini clung to their one goal advantage, earning the 1-0 victory. Cabrini's coaching staff praised the team's defensive play, especially from left-outside-back Grace Langefeld. Langefeld was forceful in neutralizing Bryn Athyn's attack.

Offensively, Rebekah Cunningham and Maggie McCay both placed multiple shots on goal in the contest. In goal, Caroline Hassall recorded four saves on the night.

Postgame, Coach Ken Prothero offered his thoughts. "It was a physical game and I am proud of how the girls battled after a few games where we were not at our best. Bryn Athyn is a well-coached team that played us extremely tight in a physical match. It was a strong effort heading into conference play. We still have adjustments to make but hope we can build off of the positives from tonight's match. Our goal is to get better everyday."

Cabrini will begin conference play against Gwyenned Mercy on Wednesday, 10/4.