Lady Cavs seek first ever PAC title

A new coach is providing newfound motivation for the women's field hockey team.

by Chris Lomanno perspectives editor

Unharnessed potential left last year's field hockey team feeling disillusioned. However, changes have been made and a new regime has the ladies fired up and ready to work in '96.

"Last year, the team had lots of talent," senior co-captain Erin O'Neill said. "But we were not pushed hard enough.

"W~ were out of shape and had a problem with finishing our games strong," O'Neill said.

"After just two days of practice I can tell the team is more positive, aggressive and determined," senior co-captain Chris Lear said.

"We have a lot of strong play: ers returning and a new coach we are very excited to work for," Lear said. "She already has us doing more things like running and technical drills that we need to stay sharp."

The new field hockey coach who has the ladies pumped is Jackie Neary. She is no stranger to Cabrini.

Neary is also the head coach of the women's lacrosse team.

Since the seasons do not overlap and some of the girls play both sports, she saw the opening as a great opportunity.

As far as experience with field hockey goes, Neary has been an assistant coach with Ridley High School. Last year, her Green Raiders played in the state championship game.

The coach, who emphatically stated that she was very pleased with what she has to work with this year, hastily announced her goal for the team as being nothing less than winning the conference, the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference (PAC).

"This is a small school that is very big on sports," Neary said. "That is evident when you look at how many student athletes are here.

"Not meeting certain expectations is my major concern coming in to this season," she said.

"Coaching women's lacrosse last year was a different situation because lacrosse is a new sport at the school," Neary said. "Field hockey is a more established sport and there are certain expec- tations that need to be met."

The Lady Cavs did not make it to the PAC play-offs last season. Fortunately for Neary, the team only lost three players, two transferred and one graduated. So, the coach is inheriting a core of players who are familiar with each other and know what to expect.

Among the returning players are the team's scoring leaders of a year ago, sophomore Jessie Valerio and junior Jamie Paul, along with senior co-captains Lear and O'Neill and the sophomore goal keeper Mary Lear who set a school record for most saves in a season last year.

Six first-year students have also been added to the roster. According to O'Neill, all of the