THE BASICS

• Score: Holy Cross 3, Iona 1
• Records: Holy Cross (1-0-0); Iona (0-1-0)
• Location: Worcester, Mass. (Linda Johnson Smith Soccer Stadium at the Luth Athletic Complex)
• The Lead: Holy Cross junior defender Allie Neumann scored the game-winning goal in the 52nd minute as the Crusaders defeated Iona, 3-1, to open the 2016 season at the Linda Johnson Smith Soccer Stadium on Friday night.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Neither team was able to find the back of the net in the first half despite a total of three shots on net from either side.
• The Crusaders outshot the Gaels 6-2 in the first half while notching a pair of shots on net.
• Holy Cross got the scoring started in the 50th minute of play, as junior Caitlin Harty notched the first goal of the season with a light tap in off a cross pass from sophomore Lily Puccia on the far side.
• Neumann would make it 2-0 in favor of the Crusaders just two minutes later, as she found a loose ball amidst a group of defenders and sent it home.
• Iona responded with a goal from Christine Rebus in the 70th minute to make it 2-1.
• Holy Cross gained a 3-1 lead as sophomore Andj Seslija scored on a shot off a cross pass from junior Kara Shaw.
• The Crusaders outshot Iona 8-3 in the second half, with five shots on target.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Holy Cross freshman goalkeeper Caroline Cashion earned the win after making one save in 90 minutes of play.
• Tiffany Martinez took the loss for the Gaels after stopping four shots and allowing three goals.
• Neumann and Harty led all players with two shots on net each.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• Cashion earned her first career victory in net in her first collegiate start.
• Harty now has 10 points with four goals for her career.
• Neumann's goal was the first game-winner of her career.
• Holy Cross is now 6-1-1 all-time against Iona.
• This is the 14th time in program history the Crusaders have opened their season with a victory.
• This is the Crusaders' first victory under head coach Casey Brown.

UP NEXT

• Holy Cross returns to action this Monday, August 22, as it plays host to UMass with action beginning at 4:05 p.m. in Worcester.

KEEP CONNECTED

• To stay updated on the Holy Cross women's soccer team, follow the Crusaders on Twitter @HCrossWSoccer and on Facebook at Holy Cross Crusaders Women's Soccer. You can also subscribe for email alerts for all news and information on the team by clicking here.