Oct. 16, 2010
Box Score
WORCESTER, Mass. - The Lafayette field hockey team dominated Holy Cross on Saturday afternoon as the Leopards went on to win 8-0 in Worcester, Mass. Senior Meghan Cicchi notched a hat trick in the first half; finishing the game with four goals while classmate Cara Lyons picked up three goals.
The Lafayette win give the Leopards an automatic berth to the Patriot League Tournament as they are a perfect 3-0 in Patriot League play, 6-7 overall.
Lafayette came out and scored its first two goals in the opening ten minutes of the game, both coming off penalty corners and Cicchi scoring both goals. Deanna DiCroce and Emily Valeo picked up assists on both of the goals.
Freshman Kristin Heaney scored her first collegiate goal in the 16th minute off a rebound shot on a penalty corner. The Leopards racked up another two goals before the half was over, one by Cicchi off another penalty corner and the other by Lyons, as she scrambled inside the circle and found the back of the cage.
Lafayette held a 5-0 lead going into the half. Lyons would go on to score another two goals, in the 50th minute as DiCroce passed the ball to Lyons in front of the cage and made the easy goal. Her final goal came two minutes before the game was over on a deflection on a corner. Cicchi scored her fourth goal of the game on a penalty corner in the 53rd minute.
The Lafayette defense was able to hold Holy Cross (0-13, 0-3) to two shots, one on goal, while the Leopards took 25 shots over the 70 minutes. Senior Kelsey Andersen made the lone save that was sent her way while the Crusaders Kelly Sotsky made 12 saves.
"It was a very strong team effort today. I am proud of the determination that our players showed," said head coach Andrew Griffiths. "Our penalty corners were effective today and this opened the game up. We are pleased to have met one of our season goals, qualifying for the Patriot League Tournament - it is important that we continue with the same focus at training now as we have three tough games in the next week."
The Leopards take a break from Patriot League action as Lafayette hosts No. 16 Drexel on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Rappolt Field.
