WORCESTER, Mass. – The Holy Cross women's soccer team defeated Lafayette 2-1 Saturday afternoon to open the 2021 spring season with a victory.
The Crusaders opened the game with a dream first four minutes capped off by a goal by junior
Lexi Ansaldi. Sophomore Clare Carew beat her defender down the right side and sent a low cross into the box that Ansaldi got a foot on to redirect into the far left corner of the net.
The Leopards would not go quietly as they answered back in the 32
nd minute. Off a Lafayette corner kick that wasn't completely cleared by Holy Cross, Emily Coe was able to find an open Melissa Lamanna in front of the goal for the equalizer.
In the 62
nd minute, on a challenge that Lafayette appeared to had won,
Caroline Harkins gained control and sent a long ball down the right side to a streaking
Katie Quinn. The sophomore calmly brought the ball into the box and beat the Lafayette goalie with a low, hard shot.
That was how the game would end as the Crusaders were able to withstand pressure from the Leopards in the closing minutes thanks to smart play by the defense and senior keeper
Sophia Lettieri.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- The victory goes down as head coach Kyle Bak's first as a Crusader and first as a head coach.
- Lafayette outshot Holy Cross 16-8, 7-3 on goal, but the Crusaders were able to make the most of their chances, scoring on two of their three looks on goal.
- Lettieri made six saves in goal.
- Freshmen Sydney Baldwin, Ellie Zern, and Allie Raynor saw their first collegiate action on the day. All three were part of the Crusaders' starting lineup, while Baldwin played the full 90 minutes.
UP NEXT:
Holy Cross will host Boston University next Friday, March 19 for a 6 p.m. matchup.
