WORCESTER, Mass. – The Holy Cross field hockey team will host both Boston University and No. 21 Monmouth this weekend. The Crusaders will take on the Terriers on Saturday, Oct. 26 for the team's Senior Day and will face the Hawks on Sunday, Oct. 27. Both games will begin at 11:05 a.m.
Stakes are high this weekend with a spot in the Patriot League Tournament on the line. If Holy Cross beats Boston University Saturday, the Crusaders will clinch a postseason berth. If the Terriers prevail, it'll come down to the final games of league action next weekend as both teams would have identical 2-3 records in conference play.
Things to know about Holy Cross (6-8, 2-2 PL):
- The Crusaders have a chance to return to the postseason after just missing out in 2018 for the first time in four seasons. Holy Cross qualified for the tournament each year from 2015-2017.
- Olivia Venezia picked up her third goal of the season last week against UMass Lowell as Madeline Alderfer recorded her team-leading seventh assist on the play.
- Marcia LaPlante has posted a .857 save percentage in each of the last three games, making 24 saves along the way. Her .815 percentage for the year has her third in the nation.
Things to know about Boston University (4-10, 1-3 PL):
- Before this year, the Terriers had never lost more than a single game in regular season conference action since joining the league in 2013.
- They have been led this season by Ailsa Connolly's six goals and four assists for 16 points. In goal, Caroline Kelly has played the majority of minutes, posting a 2.43 goals against average and a .688 save percentage.
Things to know about Monmouth (10-4):
- Since their losing season in 2015 in which the Hawks went 8-11, they have not finished a season with a winning percentage below .640, winning at least 13 games a season.
- Monmouth has three players with at least 20 points on the season, with Annick van Lange leading the way with 13 goals and two assists for 28 points.
