RANDOR, Pa.- Immaculata Women's Soccer faced Cabrini on their home turf, this afternoon, and showcased moments of great defensive effort, and glimpses of solid passing triangles, ball movement, and overall scoring opportunities.
In the first FIVE minutes, the Macs and Cavaliers battled intensively, moving the ball from one defensive half to the other, desperate to get a shot off. Passing was swift, controlled, and calculated.
With 36 minutes left in the first half, Cabrini sports a free kick opportunity from just outside the eighteen-yard box, in our defensive end. With the ball sailing over the field players, towards the Macs right netting, Gina Marinelli swiftly dives backward, in midair, to parry the ball off the top of the crossbar. The effort and execution were unbelievable – a phenomenal resistance to a potential goal. This save sets the tone for the rest of her efforts in the match.
At the 22-minute mark, Janelle Kern makes a shot-stopping defensive play, cutting off a Cabrini breakaway in the box, by sprinting into the Cavalier's line of sight, to knock the player off the ball, which rolls towards the sideline. Kern's shielding in the first half highlighted her aggressiveness and sublime tactical awareness.
With eight minutes remaining, Bella Bonilla sends an accurate, slotted ball into Cabrini's right corner flag—with Brianna Latham sprinting, full force, to try and make something happen. While unsuccessful, Latham's distance covered was commendable.
To close out the last few minutes, Marinelli sprints towards the Cabrini offensive (at 7:21), from her place in the net, to boldly challenge, and catch the ball, mid-air, colliding with the player on the edge of the eighteen.
At the end of the first half, the Cavaliers racked up two goals at 22:39, and 31:11. The Macs have one shot on goal.
The second half's beginning started much like the first, with directed runs and passing patterns. Sam Seidito's movement in the back, and receiving from the goal kicks, set the tone for opportunities forward.
As 39:39 remained, Hannah Phillips sends a beautiful, lofted ball right over Cabrini's defense –and Jessica Gindle responded, sprinting to the ball, and quickly taking a low shot, which barely missed the right corner. This specific buildup was the offensive highlight of the match.
Only six minutes later, the Macs come close yet again, as Mia Perrone slots a ball to Kelsey Caldarelli, from the right corner flag, and a hard shot is taken, on frame.
On the defensive side, Seidito makes a name for herself with perfectly-timed defensive stepping, strength, and speed on potential, opposing breakaways—while Kern and Marinelli continue to perform exceptionally well. Coming close to the end of the match, Nicole Winouski hits a dangerous ball to the left corner, splitting the Cabrini defense, entirely—but it could not be capitalized on, further. At the 74:47-minute mark, the Cavs scored their third goal. The match ends for the Macs with seven shots, two on goal.
Up Next:
The Immaculata women's soccer team will be back in action on Wednesday, October 25th when they host Marywood University for their final Atlantic East Conference game of the season at 4:00 PM.
