WORCESTER, Mass. – The Holy Cross men's lacrosse team defeated Lafayette, 11-9, in Patriot League action Saturday afternoon at Kuzniewski Field.

With the win, Holy Cross improves to 5-3 (2-1 PL), while Lafayette moves to 5-2 (1-1 PL).
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Lafayette opened the scoring 1:29 into the contest, netting two goals in 14 seconds.
• Freshman Aedan Cassidy cut the Leopards lead in half five minutes later, before Lafayette extended the lead to 3-1.
• Sophomore Jude Lynch and junior Owen Tunney found the back of the net over the last seven minutes of the opening quarter to take a 3-3 tie into the quarter break.
• In a tightly contested second quarter that saw four shots on goal for each side, Lafayette netted two goals to take a 5-3 lead into halftime.
• Tunney picked up his second of the game 1:29 into the second half to bring the Crusaders within one before the Leopards re-extended the lead to two a minute later.
• Sophomore Andrew Ottomanelli and senior Julian Jenkins each scored to tie the game at 6-6, before Lafayette squeaked one in before the end of third quarter for the 7-6 lead going into the final 15 minutes of regulation.
• Lafayette found the back of the net 39 seconds into the final quarter to take the 8-6 lead early, but four-straight goals from Lynch, Cassidy, junior Will Deo, and senior Damien Ramondo put the Crusaders ahead 10-8 with 3:14 to play.
• Lafayette narrowed the lead to one with 1:44 remaining, but a faceoff win put the ball in the Crusaders' hands. With the netminder out of the goal to join the defensive ride, junior Sam McDonald was able to break free of his defender and score on the empty net to give Holy Cross a two goal lead with 41 seconds to play.

BEYOND THE BOX:

• Senior JR Long recorded six saves in his fifth win of the season.
• Freshman Shane McDonnell led both sides with 12 faceoff wins, finishing the afternoon with a .632 win percentage.
• Senior Michael Rincon tied for the game-lead in caused turnovers with three, bringing his season total to 19, which ranks second in the Patriot League.

UP NEXT:

• Holy Cross will hit the road to face Lehigh on Saturday, March 21.
• Opening faceoff in Bethlehem, Pa. Is set for 12 p.m.

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