Capicchioni Makes History
April 13, 2003 - National Lacrosse League (NLL) News Release
New Jersey Storm goaltender Ginny Capicchioni became the first woman to ever play in the regular season game of a major men's professional team sport in the United States today when she entered the second period of today's New Jersey Storm game with the Vancouver Ravens at Continental Airlines Arena. The Ravens won the game 18-9, clinching a wild card berth in the 2003 NLL playoffs on the final day of the regular season.
Capicchioni entered the game in goal for the Storm to start the second period and play for over minutes. She faced eight shots, made four saves and allowed for Ravens goals. She left the game with the Ravens leading the Storm 8-6 midway through the second period. Capicchioni re-entered the game with 3:02 remaining in the fourth period allowing two goals and made three saves. She faced a total of 13 shots with seven saves and six goals allowed in 11:19 of total play. She also was credited a loose ball pickup.
Capicchioni is the first female player in the 17-year history of the indoor National Lacrosse League. The former Sacred Heart University standout survived Storm rookie camp in November, veteran training camp in December, played in two pre-season games, and dressed for two Storm games during the regular season without seeing action.
The Oradell, New Jersey native played well in the Storm's pre-season 14-12 win at Buffalo on December 6th, saving ten of the 15 shots she faced in the second quarter.
At Sacred Heart, Capicchioni was twice named Northeast Conference Field Hockey "Goalie of the Year" (1998, 2000) and three times named NEC Lacrosse "Goalie of the Year" (1999, 2000, and 2001). She ranked first nationally in total saves in field hockey in 2000, sixth nationally in lacrosse save percentage in 2000, and third nationally in lacrosse save percentage in 2001.
The River Dell High School (NJ) graduate has also played for the Toyota women's traveling field lacrosse team and brings the experience of playing on men's box lacrosse teams in Fairfield, CT, Hatboro, PA, and Aston, PA.
National Lacrosse League Stories from April 13, 2003
- Capicchioni Makes History - NLL
- Mammoth Claims Division Title and Playoff Game - Colorado Mammoth
- Storm Make History, Lose Season Finale 18-9 - New Jersey Storm
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