SALISBURY, Md. - In a back and forth battle that featured four ties and five lead changes, the Cabrini University women's lacrosse team edged out Haverford College 14-12 in the opening round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament. The win improved the Cavaliers to 15-4 overall and marked the program's fifth NCAA Tournament win and second since downing Haverford in 2022. The Cavaliers advance to face Salisbury University at 1pm tomorrow, Sunday May 12th. Salisbury enters the tournament as the fifth-ranked program, sporting a 14-3 record and claiming the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Confernece Championship.

Several Cavaliers contributed mightily toward the first round victory: Olivia Little collected 8 points by way of 5 goals and 3 assists. Alena Catka scored 5 points from 4 goals and a helper. Caroline Gallagher recorded 6 caused turnovers, 3 ground balls, and a second quarter goal. Alyssa Kolasa forced 4 caused turnovers and picked 3 ground balls. Morgan McClintock gave Cabrini a pair of goals, 5 ground balls, and 3 caused turnovers. Abbey Fenton logged 9 saves between the pipes to grab her 15th win of the season.

Scoring Breakdown

• Approaching the fifth minute of play, Cabrini got on the board. Olivia Little surprised Haverford's defense with a timely cut, received a pass from Alena Catka back right, and netted the game's opening goal.
• The Fords responded quickly, netting three consecutive goals at 9:51, 6.24, and 5:46 in the first quarter.
• Olivia Little advanced through the midfield, drew a double team, and fed to Alena Catka inside. Catka drew contact on a shot attempt, giving her a free position shot she'd convert. 
• Haverford, fresh off a clear, scored a goal that extended their lead to 4-2.
• With less than a minute on the first quarter clock, Morgan McClintock came up with a contested ground ball and pushed up the far sideline. McClintock dumped to Alena Catka, who sprinted along the goal line and flipped a shot past a Haverford defender and the Fords' keeper.
• Early in the second quarter, the Cavaliers evened the game 4-4. Amelia D'Urso helped the Cavs clear before Olivia Little found Alena Catka in front of the crease for her third goal of the game.
• Caroline Gallagher put Cabrini ahead after darting through the midfield for an unassisted tally.
• Olivia Little gave the Cavs a 6-4 advantage after assuming the space in of her for a head-on shot.
• Neve Murphy's goal put Cabrini ahead by three, as she'd use a high shot from side right to beat the Fords' keeper.
• With five minutes left in the second period, Abbey Fenton stopped a straight on free position shot to prevent a Haverford score to break up the Cavaliers' five goal run.
• The Fords later found a second quarter goal off a curl just before the halftime break. 
• Cabrini netted the first score of the second half off a free position try. Morgan McClintock's shot deflected off the goalkeeper's stick, came straight up, and took a favorable bounce into the side of the net.
• Haverford battled back into the game with a free position goal of their own and a score on the following possession.
• Olivia Little spun through the Ford's defense to give the Cavaliers a 9-7 lead with 6:41 left in the third.
• A pair of Haverford goals tied the score at 9 entering the fourth quarter.
• Haverford would open the final quarter with two goals, as the Fords held an 11-9 edge with ten minutes remaining.
• Cabrini proceeded to stage a four goal run in the middle of the final period. 
• Olivia Little deked a defender to create a shot over her left shoulder, scoring with 9:10 remaining.
• Morgan McClintock scored the late equalizer, tying the game at 11 goals apiece. McClintock made a swift cut to the middle for a score helped by Olivia Little.
• Guarded tightly, Olivia Little went underhand for a goal that snuck past the Fords and gave Cabrini a 12-11 lead.
• Cabrini went up by two on Shea Neary's score at the 6:10 mark. Neary beat the defense to her left and created enough space for a shot that entered the side of the net.
• Haverford cut Cabrini's lead to one after stringing together passes that led to a goal. 
• The Cavaliers would blank the Fords' late pressure for the final five minutes of play. Alena Catka iced the game, 14-12, on a wrap-around score with just 15 seconds on the clock.

Cavalier Leaders
Goals: Little (5), Catka (4), McClintock (2)
Assists: Little (3), Catka/Neary (1)
Points: Little (8), Catka (5), Neary/McClintock (2)
Shots: Little (12), Catka (5), Gallagher (4)
Ground Balls: McClintock (5), Kolasa/Gallagher (3)
Caused Turnovers: Gallagher (6), Kolasa (4), McClintock (3)
Draw Controls: Catka (7), Neary (3)
Saves: Fenton (9)

Team Stats

• Shot attempts nearly mirrored one another, as Haverford took 29 shots to Cabrini's 28.
• Of those shots, the Cavaliers made 9 saves to the Fords' 7.
• Cabrini completed 22 of 26 clear attempts, while Haverford went 19 for 22 on clears.
• The Cavs secured 12 of a possible 30 draw controls.
• Cabrini grabbed one less ground ball than Haverford, 16 to 17.
• The Cavaliers combined for 17 turnovers while the Fords had 20.
• Cabrini capitalized on their 2 free position attempts, while Haverford converted 3 of 8 free position shots.

Up Next
Cabrini faces #5 Salisbury University tomorrow, Sunday May 12th at 1pm.