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NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – The Cabrini field hockey team played its first NCAA Tournament game in program history Wednesday at No. 11 Christopher Newport University’s Captains Field. The Cavaliers suffered a 1-0 loss versus the Captains.
Cabrini and Christopher Newport played through treacherous weather conditions for the full 70 minutes. Temperatures in the high-30s to low-40s and a soaked playing surface provided obstacles for both squads.
However, Taylor Harrell’s goal in the 12th minute proved to be the game’s eventual winning tally. Christopher Newport out-shot the Cavaliers, 9-1.
Cabrini had a number of good chances in the second, playing with the swirling winds and driving rain at its back – an advantage CNU benefitted from in the first half. Sophomore midfielder Maura Gordon recorded the Blue & White’s lone shot of the match, launching an attempt wide of the Captains’ cage.
Christopher Newport owned an 11-5 advantage in corners. Cabrini’s offense generated three penalty corners in the second half.
Junior goalkeeper Caitlin Donahue posted six saves for the Cavaliers in the loss. CNU cageminder Emma Stout went without a save for the shutout.
The Blue & White punched its ticket to the NCAA Tournament with a dramatic 2-1 win versus Neumann University in the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) championship match. Junior midfielder Shannon Mulhern scored the game’s winning goal with 23 seconds remaining in the second half.
Wednesday’s contest marked the final games in the Cabrini careers for seniors Bridget Bergen and Lynda Kaufmann.
Cabrini finishes the 2009 season with an 11-11 overall record. Head coach Jackie Neary concludes her 14th season with the Cavaliers with 143 career victories.