During this unprecedented time when we will be without sporting events for the near future, the Holy Cross Vault will take a look back at old stories about some of the Crusaders' top moments in recent years. Our long and storied history is filled with memories of championships, record-setting performances and accomplishments that defied the odds. The Holy Cross Vault will give you a chance to re-live some of your favorite moments from the past, or learn for the first time about things you might have missed.
This week, we look back to Nov. 5, 2000, when the Holy Cross women's soccer team downed Colgate 1-0 to win its first Patriot League Tournament championship.
HAMILTON, N.Y. - For only the second time in the history of the Patriot League women's soccer tournament, a team other than Colgate will advance to the NCAA Tournament as the Patriot League representative as the Holy Cross Crusaders defeated the Raiders 1-0.
In the championship game of the Patriot League Tournament, junior midfielder Kate O'Shaughnessy provided all the scoring Holy Cross would need 15 minutes into the second half as the second-seeded Crusaders defeated the top-seeded Red Raiders, 1-0.
With the victory, Holy Cross' first over the Red Raiders since 1991, the Crusaders not only won their first Patriot League tournament, but they also move on to the NCAA Tournament, with the pairings being announced tonight at 10:00 p.m Furthermore, senior goalkeeper Tiffany DeCoff tied the Patriot League career shutout record with her 29th shutout (she now shares the record with Army alumna Annah Castellini).
The visiting Crusaders got on the board in the 60th minute. O'Shaughnessy fired a 30-yard rocket in to the top left corner for the 1-0 lead. That goal was the first for the Crusaders against the Raiders since 1996.
Holy Cross had an early chance 15 minutes into the game, when sophomore midfielder Lee Hummer put a six-yard cross from senior striker Alyson Macomber just over the Colgate net.
In the 38th minute of the match, Raider sophomore netminder Jenny Molina dropped a ball, leaving an open net. Freshman Crusader striker Sarah Comeaux, a second team All-Patriot League selection, fired a 15-yard strike, only to have it cleared away from danger by Colgate sophomore Caitlin Kummer.
DeCoff, a second team All-Patriot League selection, had to come up with five saves in the first half, including two stops on Colgate senior midfielder Liz Brown. Molina made one stop in the net for the Red Raiders in the first half.
Holy Cross had 11 first-half shots to Colgate's five, while the Crusaders also fired off five corner kicks to the Raiders' one in the first 45-minute frame.
The Raiders continuously pressured the Crusader defense in the last 30 minutes, but to no avail, as DeCoff recorded four of her nine saves in the second stanza.
