Phillylacrosse.om, Posted 5/11/24
From Press Release
In a back-and-forth battle that featured four ties and five lead changes, the Cabrini University women’s lacrosse team rallied past Haverford College, 14-12, today 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. Salisbury enters the tournament as the nation’s fifth-ranked program, sporting a 14-3 record and claiming the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference Championship.
Several Cavaliers contributed mightily toward the first round victory: Olivia Little (Springfield-Delco) collected 8 points by way of 5 goals and 3 assists. Alena Catka (Sun Valley) scored 5 points from 4 goals and a helper. Caroline Gallagher (Middle Township) recorded 6 caused turnovers, 3 ground balls, and a second quarter goal. Alyssa Kolasa (Camden Catholic) forced 4 caused turnovers and picked 3 ground balls. Morgan McClintock (Garnet Valley) gave Cabrini a pair of goals, 5 ground balls, and 3 caused turnovers. Abbey Fenton (Ocean City) logged 9 saves between the pipes to grab her 15th win of the season.
The win gave Cabrini at least another day to stave off the program’s end and give legendary coach Jackie Neary another victory, No. 351 in her illustrious 28-year career.
Haverford opened 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, first as Little deked a defender to create a shot over her left shoulder, scoring with 9:10 remaining.
McClintock scored the late equalizer, tying the game at 11. McClintock made a swift cut to the middle for a score helped by Little. Guarded tightly, 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 (Archbishop Carroll) 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 13-12 on Tiffany Mikulis’ third goal, but the Cavaliers’ defense held off the pressure by the Fords and Catka iced the game 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.
