WORCESTER, Mass. – Senior midfielder Melanie Lytle scored the only goal of the day, as the Holy Cross women's soccer team defeated Lafayette 1-0 at Linda Johnson Smith Soccer Stadium. The Crusaders improve to 1-10-4 overall and 1-5-1 in the Patriot League, while the Leopards fall to 3-10-2 on the year and 1-5-1 in the conference. 

Lytle's goal came in the 10th minute, as senior forward Claire Carew collected a loose ball in the box after a cross was headed away by a Lafayette defender. Carew then played the ball to Lytle at the top of the box, where she rifled a shot just underneath the crossbar from 18 yards out.

The Leopards would outshoot the Crusaders 11-1 in the second half, but the Holy Cross defense held strong and did not allow any goals on the afternoon.

Senior goalkeeper Izzy Castagnetti made seven saves while posting her first career shutout. 

The Leopards finished the day with an 18-8 advantage in shots, while the Crusaders held a 5-3 edge in corner kicks. 

Holy Cross returns to action on Friday, Oct. 21, when it travels to Navy for a 5:00 p.m. game.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
• The shutout was the first of Castagnetti's career, and the third for Holy Cross this season.
• Lytle now has two goals in her collegiate career, both coming in the last two games.
• Castagnetti set a new career high with her seven saves.

SENIOR DAY:
• Prior to the contest, eight senior members of the Holy Cross women's soccer program who will be concluding their collegiate careers at the end of the 2022 season were honored in a pregame ceremony.
• Carew, Castagnetti, Lytle, forward Shelley Blumsack, defender Erin Goss, midfielder Colleen McIlvenna, forward Katie Quinn and defender Brooke Robinson were all recognized.

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