Following 67 years of athletic tradition and history, Cabrini athletics had its last dance in the 2023-2024 school year. With the sudden closure, athletes were stunned.
After many Atlantic-East duels between Cabrini and Neumann, about 16 cavaliers found a new beginning here with the knights.
Molly McGee, a junior on the field hockey team, is one of the athletes that Neumann has welcomed.
When finding out about the closure, McGee’s initial reaction was, “That is not right. I must be really tired.”
Despite not seeing the field her freshman year and everyone else transferring, McGee still knew right away that staying was her only option.
“Sophomore year, I knew I had to pull my weight and be a member of the team. Staying was hard but the best thing I ever did was stay,” said McGee.
That final season was indeed a memorable year.
“I don’t think we did anything wrong. It was an awesome feeling you can’t get anywhere else.”
After her final season, the next school year came around and McGee had to transition to a new school.
“It’s been kind of difficult because I didn’t really let everything settle in until I got here. I thought, ‘I’m ACTUALLY at a new school and it’s not Cabrini.’ It felt weird but overall, it’s been pretty good, especially for education,” said McGee.
Amongst the initial discomfort, McGee found field hockey was something that she could rely on.
“It’s the one thing I knew how to do coming in” she says.
McGee felt confident in her abilities as she joined her new team, utilizing her passion for the game and her experience being a part of a team several times before.
McGee admits it’s been hard for her to find a place, but she attributes the friendly environment her teammates create that has helped her acclimate.
One of the biggest benefits for Molly: having the opportunity to play with her sister, freshman Casey McGee, on the team as well.
Molly didn’t know what to expect from this year. However, discussions between Casey and Cabrini’s field hockey coach, helped Molly decide that Neumann was the place for her as well.
Despite the negative emotions surrounding Cabrini’s closure, the sisters were both able to find a silver lining.
“Playing with my sister has made the transition to college much easier. We have been playing together for our whole lives, and always wanted to continue playing together in college,” said Casey McGee.
As she embarks on her new journey at Neumann, Molly takes the last Cabrini team with her as she goes, remembering what she felt made her team so special.
“The biggest way to keep Cabrini with me is supporting my teammates. Our biggest thing [at Cabrini] was supporting each other no matter what, over anything else,” said McGee.
McGee explains she feels better knowing that she can help others.
“Making others feel supported is SO rewarding,” she said.
McGee states that she can definitely see a chance for this bond to happen at Neumann as well.
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