WORCESTER, Mass. – The Holy Cross women's soccer team defeated Bucknell, 3-0, Friday evening to clinch a spot in the Patriot League Tournament for the first time in 19 years.
The Crusaders (5-3-8, 3-1-5 PL) pressured the Bison (5-11-2, 3-4-2) defense all game long, taking 18 shots on the night.
Bucknell almost struck first when, in the 18
th minute, Annabelle Heisel took one touch too many before getting a shot off and once she did,
Caroline Harkins was able to get all the way back for the defensive save. The game would go into the half scoreless.
Harkins played the hero for a second time in the 55
th minute when she took a pass practically at midfield, made her way all the way to the 18, ripped a left-footed shot on goal that deflected off the Bison goalie's hand and the crossbar, eventually landing on the right side of the goal line for the 1-0 lead.
Katie Quinn doubled the lead in the 82
nd minute when she took a mishandled ball in the box, moved around the goaltender, and easily hit the wide open net. Then,
Jenna Barnes got a breakaway in the 85
th minute and ended up one-on-one with the goalie, beating her to Barnes' right.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Sophia Lettieri only had to make two saves on the night as the Crusader defense kept the pressure off her for the most part.
- Holy Cross will now wait to see where they land in the postseason seeding. They can climb as high as second if Army loses and Loyola ties or loses. If only one of those things happen, the Crusaders will be third.
- Samantha Peters and Quinn each had assists on the night.
UP NEXT:
The Crusaders could potentially host a game next Tuesday, Nov. 5, in the quarterfinals of the Patriot League Tournament, unless they end up in second and receive a bye to the semifinals.
