Holy Cross Women's Soccer 2024 Season Preview

LAST SEASON ON THE HILL

Holy Cross ended the 2023 season with a 5-7-5 overall record, a large improvement from the previous year. The Crusaders just fell short of making the cut for the Patriot League tournament, finishing with a 2-4-3 conference record. 

Notable wins from the 2023 campaign included a dominant 4-0 win over Vermont at home, a 2-1 victory over Lehigh on Senior Day and a 1-0 Turnpike Trophy win on the road at Boston University.

The Crusaders’ roster includes 22 returners: nine seniors, two juniors and 11 sophomores. They welcome nine newcomers.

BIG SEASON ON DECK

The Crusaders are currently slated to play a full schedule consisting of 18 games, nine of which will come against Patriot League competition. Holy Cross will open the season on Aug. 15 at Fairfield, and will play its home opener on Aug. 25 against UMass Lowell.

Patriot League play will begin on Sept. 21 at home against Lafayette. The rest of the conference schedule features away games at Army, Bucknell, Lehigh and Navy, and home matchups with American, Boston University, Colgate and Loyola (Md.).

RETURNING TO PITCH

Four players who recorded at least two point last season are back this year. Fifth-year senior Sydney Baldwin (two goals, two assists), junior Grace Soltesz (one goal, one assist) and sophomore Karenna Beckstein (one goal, one assist) and sophomore Jenelle Murphy (one goal, one assist) will likely be counted on again this season to help generate some offense.

Another positive sign for the Crusaders is that nine of the 15 field players who started at least three games last season return for this year. Two of the three goalkeepers also come back for the 2024 season.

LEADING THE SQUAD

Fifth-year senior Sydney Baldwin will return to serve as team captain for her second season, alongside senior Emily Bubonovich. 

Bubonovich ranked fifth on the team with 1,232 minutes played last year, as one of the leaders on defense. 

Baldwin, who will serve her second season as team captain, scored two goals, one game winner, and two assists for six points. 

Both captains started 16 of the 17 contests last season for the Crusaders.

FRESH FACES

Fans will see nine new faces suiting up for the Crusaders this season. The seven position players are Megan Menard, Ava Graham, Caroline Bierfeldt, Keilly Quezada, Sydney Comeau, Maria Cipolla and Nadia Cassamajor. Two goalkeepers, Meredith Zematis and Antriana Mila, also join the mix to round out the freshman class.

FOLLOW THE CRUSADERS
Be sure to follow the Holy Cross women's soccer team — and all things Crusader Athletics — on social media!
Twitter - @HCrossWSoccer | @goholycross
Instagram - @hcrosswsoccer | @goholycross
Facebook - Holy Cross Women's Soccer | Holy Cross Athletics
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