Women's Lacrosse Championship Preview

5/3/2013 8:18:00 AM

ASTON, Pa. – The Neumann University women's lacrosse team has catapulted themselves to the forefront by landing in the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) Championship game against Cabrini College.

A year ago, the Knights had to except being a No. 5 seed, as they were tied with two other schools and lost the tie-breaker to both. It was costly being a No. 5 seed as they travelled to Centenary College and lost in the first round 13-9 to the Cyclones.

Coach Malone has turned the team around in such a short amount of time. “I think we are a much different team than we were a year ago,” said Coach Malone. “I am proud of what we accomplished last year, but my goal was to continue to change the culture here at Neumann and I think that has happened. You see girls working on their game on their own and I think that's the only way you get better.

The Knights only lost four games this season. The Knights lost to the University of Scranton, Cabrini College, Swarthmore College and No. 9 TCNJ during the regular season. These loses will serve as the motivation to get better and put a better product together for the biggest stage to date for the Knights in preparing for the conference championship.

Neumann has not been back in the conference championship game since 2001. The Knights played against Cabrini College and the starting goalie for them was Christy Malone. Does that name sound familiar?

Coach Malone won as a player and continues to win as a coach at the NCAA Division I, II and now III level. The Knights players can rest easy knowing that their coach has handled pressure situations, as often as kids eat daily Fred Flintstone chewable vitamins.

The Knights can also draw strength in the fact that they were able to get out to an early lead against Cabrini, but on the day, they weren't able to maintain or manage the game. The Neumann vs. Cabrini met earlier in the season was a Cavaliers 20-9 triumph.

The Knights enter the game defeating Marywood 20-10 in the semifinal game and Cabrini defeated Immaculata 21-8.

The Cabrini vs. Neumann finale will feature coach vs. pupil, Neary vs. Malone.

The game is set for Saturday, May 4 at No. 1 Cabrini for a 12 p.m. start time.

Print Friendly Version