The women’s soccer team (3-10-2 overall, 1-5-1 Patriot League) faced off against Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass. this past Saturday, falling 1-0 in a tightly contested game against the Crusaders.
This loss was particularly disappointing for the Leopards, who were coming off two Patriot League losses to Bucknell and Army.
“Leading up to the game we knew both of our teams would be fighting … [The game] was crucial for both of us,” junior defender Lauren Cunningham said.
Given that Saturday’s game also marked Holy Cross’s senior day, Cunningham said she expected them to play with a lot of energy and intensity.
Holy Cross put themselves ahead early on in the game, sinking a goal in the 10th minute against Lafayette senior goalkeeper Natalie Neumann. Neumann quickly recovered from the goal, making two big saves in the remainder of her playing time during the first half.
The rest of the team followed Neumann’s lead, coming back strong in the second half to outshoot the Crusaders 11 to one, five of which were on goal.
Junior goalkeeper Lindsay Dewar, who replaced Neumann in the second half, ensured the Crusaders did not score again.
Nevertheless, the Leopards could not put a tally on the board.
Lafayette finished the game with an impressive eighteen total shots with seven on goal, while Holy Cross had only eight shots with three on goal. Cunningham and freshman midfielder April McDonald led the way for Lafayette, each making three attempts with two on goal, and midfielders sophomore Alexa Jindal and junior Emily Coe had two shots each. Nevertheless, it wasn’t enough for the Leopards to emerge victorious.
Cunningham said that the team has been doing a good job playing together as a unit, and while they have all the right ideas, they need to work on execution.
The next few games will be crucial for Lafayette to have a chance at the playoffs.
“We really need to focus each game and in practice, we need to make sure we’re showing up … We know what’s on the line, we know that we need these wins,” Cunningham said.
The team will face the Colgate University Raiders in Hamilton, N.Y. tomorrow at 4 p.m.
