WORCESTER, Mass. – The Holy Cross women's soccer team took on the Mountain Hawks at home on Saturday, Oct. 7. Holy Cross scored early in the second half with Lehigh answering back to equalize the game. The Crusaders netted another to take the 2-1 win.

Neither team made their way onto the scoreboard in the first half with Holy Cross taking three shots and Lehigh taking two to enter halftime.

The Crusaders came out strong starting the second half with junior Grace Soltesz sent a great cross into the box to hit senior forward Samantha Adams who was able to pop the ball up and over the keeper for the 1-0 lead at 46:29. Adams' goal broke Holy Cross's four game scoring drought.

Lehigh replied by scoring its own goal at the 60:00 mark to tie the game 1-1. Senior goalkeeper Mackenzie Wagner made an outstanding save right before but the deflection rebounded to Lehigh's Sophia Lis who sent the ball in the top right corner of the net.

Holy Cross continued their attack despite conceding a goal and less than 10 minutes later took the lead back on a beautiful deep cross by senior forward Ellie Zern. Freshman Jenelle Murphy buried the ball into the right side of the net just past the goalkeeper. Not only was this the game winning goal but also Murphy's first collegiate goal as a Crusader. Holy Cross ran down the clock to earn its first conference win of the season, 2-1 over Lehigh.

"I thought we were fantastic. I thought we worked hard. We competed to a tremendous level in conditions that weren't exactly ideal, but I thought they were fantastic," said head Coach Ben Graham. "I'm really pleased that the seniors have managed to celebrate their senior day with a win. We put ourselves in the mix in the Patriot League, and now we'll get ready for BU on Wednesday."

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• In the first half, neither team scored 

• In the second half, the Crusaders scored two goals both assisted by Soltesz and Zern. The first goal was scored by Adams at the 46:29 mark. The Mountain Hawks tied the game 1-1 at 60:00 but Holy Cross's Murphy took the lead back with the game winner at 68:05.

• The Crusaders out-shot Lehigh 8-6 in the match leading

• Both teams earned 4 corners each.

INSIDE THE BOX:

• Adams scored her first goal of the season to break the Crusaders four game scoring drought.

• Murphy netted her first collegiate goal going 1-for-1 on shots to score the game winner.

• Soltesz had her first assist of the season

• Zern earned her third assist on the season

• Wagner made three saves in net

PLAYER QUOTES:

• "It felt surreal to break it [the scoring drought]. I felt like it was a great team goal, team effort. I think we played great in celebration of the seniors and everyone competed, and that was the biggest factor in winning today." #11 Samantha Adams

• "I feel great about how we played. I think that we worked hard and we competed. I'm just proud of us and it feels good to get a win on Senior day. It feels amazing to get that first goal as a Crusader."  #23 Jenelle Murphy

• "I had a shot opportunity in the first half that went off the crossbar, so I was super bummed about that and knew I had to get it for the seniors. I saw Sammy in the box and took the chance and luckily she got it and scored. It was an amazing finish and the team never gave up. We went down a goal and were tied 1-1, and we knew we had it in us. We competed until the last second and got the win. So I'm super happy and especially on senior day. " #19 Grace Soltesz

• "Senior day is always a bittersweet day just because, especially for us, it's our last time. We came into the game knowing that it was gonna be a fight just because both teams are the most aggressive in the Patriot League. So we came in knowing that. As far as the second half goes, when Sammy got that first goal in the first two minutes, we knew that it was going to be a really, really fun half for us. Our second goal didn't come too far after, but it was a great ball in from when the center mids and I just clipped it. Janelle was there. Janelle did great. It might have been one of her first touches of the game, so it was great to see a freshman get on the board. It's great to see us get on the board 2-1. So we're all just super excited. It's a great way to end senior day." #7 Ellie Zern

UP NEXT:

• The Crusaders return to action on Wednesday, October 11 heading to the city to take on Boston University away at 6:00 p.m.