BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Junior Annabel Brennan and sophomore Hadley Cepiel both scored three goals, as the Holy Cross women's lacrosse team defeated Lehigh 12-9 at the Ulrich Sports Complex. The Crusaders improve to 4-4 on the season and 2-0 in the Patriot League with the win, while the Mountain Hawks fall to 5-4 overall and 0-2 in the conference.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
• Holy Cross opened the game by jumping out to an early 4-0 lead after the first 11:10 of play. 
• Lehigh responded by scoring the next four goals, and the Crusaders eventually held a narrow 6-5 edge at halftime.
• The score was later tied at 7-7 midway through the third quarter, before back-to-back goals from junior Anna Affolter and Cepiel put Holy Cross in the lead for good.
• Consecutive goals from Brennan and Cepiel in the fourth quarter would stretch the lead to three (11-8), as the Crusaders went on to earn the victory.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
• Junior Kate Avitabile finished the day with one goal and a team-high three assists.
• Affolter and freshman Janie Baringer added two goals each.
• Senior Mackenzie Creagh made eight saves, while improving to 4-4 on the season.
• Senior Racheli Levy-Smith totaled 13 draw controls, two caused turnovers and one ground ball.
• The Mountain Hawks were led by Kacie Wines with two goals and four assists.

UP NEXT:
• Holy Cross will return to action on Saturday, March 21, when it plays host to No. 5 Navy at 12 p.m.

FOLLOW THE CRUSADERS:
Be sure to follow the Holy Cross women's lacrosse team — and all things Crusader Athletics — on social media!
X - @HCrossWLAX | @goholycross
Instagram - @hcrosswlax | @goholycross
Facebook - Holy Cross Women's Lacrosse | Holy Cross Athletics
YouTube - GoHolyCross