ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The Holy Cross women's soccer team fell to Army, 2-1, Friday night in the semifinals of the Patriot League Tournament. The Crusaders, the tournament's second seed, finish the season at 5-4-8. Army, the third seed, improves to 9-6-4 on the year.
The Black Knights got on the board in the first half off a nice feed and finish by Dara Murray. The Crusaders had a good amount of chances in the first 45, but weren't able to convert. Army held the 1-0 lead at halftime.
Holy Cross opened the second half on the offensive and immediately peppered the Army goal with shots.
Carly Flahive hit the post in the 47
th minute and
Katie Quinn just pushed the rebound high. Only a minute later, Quinn would make up for the miss when she laid a ball perfectly to
Sydney Fisher just outside the 18. Fisher hit probably the best ball of the season and curled it straight into the top left corner to tie the game at one.
Army would retake the lead in the 67
th minute when Erynn Johns sent in a high, looping shot from 25 yards out.
Sophia Lettieri made the initial save, but Lauren Drysdale was there for the rebound.
The Crusaders created a few more chances in the remaining 20 minutes, but weren't able to get their second equalizer.
Army will advance to the championship game to take on host Navy this Sunday.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- While shots were practically even with Holy Cross holding the slight edge at 12-11, the Crusaders had more sustained pressure in the final third. Evidence of that being Holy Cross' seven corner kicks to Army's one.
- Quinn ends her freshman season at second on the team with six points thanks to her assist tonight.
- The Crusaders finish the season with a winning record for the first time since 2014, a winning Patriot League record for the first time since 2000, and tied for the fewest loses in a single season in program history. 1985 was the only other time Holy Cross has only lost four games in a season.
