WORCESTER, Mass. — The Holy Cross football team fell short to Lehigh in a defensive battle, 10-7, at Fitton Field on Saturday, Nov. 9.

Senior linebacker Frankie Monte paced a strong defensive effort for the Crusaders (4-6, 3-1 Patriot League), totaling 21 tackles and recovering a fumble. Sophomore linebacker Drew Spinogatti finished with eight tackles, including five solo tackles and a tackle for loss. Sophomore linebacker Cam Santee and senior safety Curtis Harris-Lopez totaled six tackles apiece. 

Sophomore running back Jayden Clerveaux rushed for 84 yards. Junior receiver Max Mosey totaled a team-high 46 receiving yards while senior tight end Jacob Petersen scored the Crusaders' lone touchdown of the day.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• After a scoreless first, Lehigh (6-3, 3-1 Patriot League) began the second quarter at the Crusader 12-yard line. A 12-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Dante Perri to sophomore receiver Mason Humphrey on the first play of the second quarter gave the Mountain Hawks a 7-0 lead with 14:48 left in the half. 
• The Crusaders responded on the next drive, with Clerveaux's 20-yard run helping set up a scoring drive for the Crusaders. Senior quarterback Joe Pesansky's 10-yard pass to Petersen was complete for a Holy Cross touchdown, tying up the game at 7-7 with 9:29 left in the half.
• The teams traded scoreless drives to remain deadlocked headed into halftime.
• Coming out of the half, Lehigh moved down the field and a successful 18-yard connection from quarterback Hayden Johnson to receiver Geoffrey Jamiel put Lehigh at their own 27 yard line. Unable to find the end zone, junior Nick Garrido kicked a 25-yard field goal to put Lehigh ahead, 10-7, with 7:06 left in the frame. 
• After a three-and-out by the Crusaders, Monte recovered a Lehigh fumble with 5:08 left in the third quarter to give Holy Cross the ball back, but the Crusaders were unable to capitalize. 
• The teams continued to trade scoreless drives into the fourth quarter. 
• With 2:24 left in the fourth quarter, Holy Cross began its final drive at its own 14-yard line. A pair of completions to fifth-year receiver Byron Shipman, including a 19-yard pass, helped the Crusaders march down the field to the Lehigh 35-yard line. 
• As time expired, sophomore kicker Daniel Porto attempted a 52-yard field goal, which was blocked by Lehigh's Andrew Sharga to preserve the victory for the Mountain Hawks.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:

• Monte's 21 tackles are a career high; he is one of four Crusaders in the last 20 years to record 20 or more tackles in a game, joining Jacob Dobbs (21 vs. Merrimack, 2023); Erik Wachter (20 at Wagner, 2012) and Dan Adams (21 vs. Colgate, 2005). 
• Monte crossed the 100-tackle mark for the year, sitting with 104 tackles this season; he also crossed 200 tackles in his career, now totaling 202 career tackles. 
• Holy Cross has held three of its four Patriot League opponents this season to just one touchdown. 
• Pesansky has passed for 17 touchdowns this season, which leads the Patriot League. 
• Petersen's six touchdown receptions are tied for the most in the conference. 

UP NEXT:

• The Crusaders will be back at Fitton Field again on Saturday, Nov. 16 as they host Bucknell for their final home game of the 2024 season and Senior Day. 
• Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m.

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