The Holy Cross Crusaders will make the trip from Worcester, Mass., as the Leopards will host in the second Patriot League game of the season. Holy Cross is 3-3 with one loss in the Patriot League as both teams would like to even their record in the League. Holy Cross lost their first game getting overrun by the defending champion Bucknell 7-2. While the Leopards lost in overtime to the league favorite, American University 0-1.Holy Cross is 2-0 at home and 1-3 away. They have managed to spread their 10 goals on the season between five players. The leading scorer is Catlin Little with 3 goals. Sporting number 8 as defender she has emerged as one of Holy Cross’ key players. Along with Sinead Walsh who took 5 shots in Holy Cross’ last game with Bryant, and Isabella Henderson who had 4 shots, they represent key factors in the “Cross” scheme.
In their last game on Tuesday they warmed up for Lafayette taking 22 shots to Byant’s (0-8) 9. Holy Cross also out cornered Byant 9-6 in the 2-0 victory. Byant was forced to make 10 saves while GK Emma Lauber needed to make 5 to preserve the shutout. Little scored off a corner and Allie McDonough caught the Bryant goalie sleeping and slipped the ball behind her for her second goal of the season.
After watching the game on ESPN plus it looks like a very. familiar offensive effort by Holy Cross. If they can, they love to fast break off a defensive turnaround and try to hit the cherry picker sprinting down the sideline.
Their season stats ( including the Bryant game ) is 10 goals on 62 shot attempts vs 14 goals on 86 shot attempts. That all works out to 1.67 offensive goals per game vs 2.33 goals per game for their opponents. The shooting percentage is about 16 percent for both sides. They have earned 37 penalty corners in their six games vs 41 for their opponents. It appears they 25 players on their squad with two GK sharing time, Emma Lauber and Brooke Ross. It looks as though Lauber ( 51) has earned the spot having stayed in the entire Bryant game. Lauber has a .737 save percentage this season with won loss record of 1-1.
This is an important game for both teams as 0-2 in the league would put the loser in a difficulty position within the league standings and eligibility for the PL playoffs. I expect a strong effort by both squads.
Lafayette College Field Hockey 