HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (Sept. 21, 2011) – The Centenary College women’s soccer team (3-3, 1-0 CSAC) opened its 2011 Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) season with a victory over the visiting Cabrini College Cavaliers (2-3-1, 1-1 CSAC), 2-1.
 
Senior Brittany Overland (Andover,N.J./Pope John XXIII) led the Centenary attack, netting both Cyclone goals. Cabrini College began the scoring in the first half when Alex Tralie received a ball from Kara Hinkelmon and drove it left of Cyclone goalkeeper Alyssa Hackelberg (Randolph, N.J./Randolph) at the 31:23 mark to give the Cavaliers a 1-0 lead. Hackelberg would not yield another goal for the remainder of the game as the Cyclones and Overland took charge.

Centenary did not take long to answer the Cabrini goal as Overland received an entry pass from freshman Nikki Crowley (Flanders, N.J./Mt. Olive) just a little over two minutes after the Cabrini score and chipped the ball over the Cavaliers goal keeper for the equalizer.

With the game tied at 1-1, Hackelberg was pressed into action, withstanding the Cavalier attack. The junior goalkeeper kept Cabrini off the board making four of her six saves in the first half. The Cyclones made their own luck as time wound down in the first half as senior Mary Anderson (West Milford, N.J./West Milford) drove into Cabrini territory and sent a ball that looked as if would be defended, but was misplayed by the Cavaliers defender and found its way to Overland. Overland brought the ball in close to goal before lifting it over the goal keeper and into the right side of the net for the eventual game winning goal.

The second half saw much action, yet with no goals scored. Overland aided the Cyclones on defense as well as Cabrini attempted to knot the score. With 27 minutes remaining, Overland stormed back to help defend a pass that may have led to a scoring opportunity for Cabrini.

The Cyclones continued to fight off the Cabrini charge for most of the second half, holding on to an important 2-1 victory. With the win, the Cyclones move to 3-3 on the season and 1-0 in conference play. Centenary is in action next on Saturday, Sept. 24 as the Cyclones travel to Lower Merion Township, Pa. to take on the Rosemont College Ravens at 1:00pm.