Postiglione playing key role for Crusaders

The Holy Cross women’s lacrosse team is enjoying one of its best seasons in recent years. The Crusaders currently stand 9-3 overall with a 4-1 mark in Patriot League play, and won eight straight games from Feb. 24-March 30 for the second-longest winning streak in program history. 

A big reason for the team’s success has been the play of defense. Holy Cross has held six of its first 12 opponents to 10 goals or less, while posting a team goals against average of 11.42 with 108 caused turnovers. 

One of the key parts of that defense is senior Jessica Postiglione. A starter in all 12 games this season, she has played an integral role on the defensive end while picking up five ground balls. Postiglione knows that the squad’s unity has been a huge factor in what they have been able to accomplish in 2024.

“The biggest key to success has been how close we are all as a team,” Postiglione said. “We are always working together as a unit. We win together, we lose together, and everyone has played such a big role on the field and off the field in helping us be the best team we can be.” 

As one of seven seniors on this year’s squad, Postiglione has also taken on the role of a leader, helping the younger players on the team develop.

“It has been really exciting and rewarding to share what I have learned from past experiences, and give that knowledge to the younger players,” Postiglione said. “We have become really close with the freshmen and sophomores, and it’s been fun working with them and watching them grow as players.”

Away from the field, Postiglione has been named a 2024 Long Island Woman of Impact nominee by Go Red for Women. Created by the American Heart Association in 2004, Go Red for Women is a passionate, emotional, social initiative designed to empower women to take charge of their heart health.

“My mom has been working with Go Red for Women, and she was one of the heads of their campaign,” Postiglione said. “She really got me into it and inspired me. It is such a great message and such a great idea, because so many women aren’t really aware of the symptoms or risks they face when it comes to your heart. Spreading awareness about that is really important to me and my mom.”

Postiglione has also excelled in the classroom, as a two-time selection to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll. She has completed internships with both Pfizer and Ernst & Young over the last two summers, and plans to return to Ernst & Young in an auditing role after graduating with a degree in accounting this May.

“My internships were really rewarding and exciting experiences,” Postiglione said. “I think my lacrosse career really helped me in those situations. Working with new people, having to communicate with others and work together – that is something that I’ve been doing my whole life with lacrosse, so that translated really well in those settings.”

Back on the field, Postiglione and the Crusaders are set for a pair of big road games in the next week. Holy Cross will travel to Lehigh on April 13 (12 p.m.) and Army on April 17 (6 p.m.), for a two key Patriot League contests.

“We are playing with a lot of confidence,” Postiglione said. “We’ve put in the work every single day, and we know how much we are capable of. A goal of ours has definitely been playing a full 60 minutes and not letting up. We remember how our season ended against Lehigh in the Patriot League Tournament last year, so this weekend is going to be exciting.”

'SADER SHORTS

• With one more win this season, Holy Cross would reach double figures in victories for just the eighth time in program history.
• Lehigh stands 23-10 all-time against the Crusaders, including nine straight wins.
• Army owns a 4-3 lead against Holy Cross all-time, with the Crusaders’ last victory coming in 2018.

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