EASTON, Pa. - The Lafayette women's soccer team defeated the Crusaders of Holy Cross 2-0 on Saturday at Mike Bourger '44 Field at Oaks Stadium.
In the 29th minute, the Leopards took control of the match when senior Riley Dowd received a pass in the middle of the box from Katie Butler, and put her shot past Holy Cross goalkeeper Olivia Dubin, to give the Leopards a 1-0 lead. Then just seven minutes later, freshman Michaela Salvati received a pass from freshman Gretchen Waechter and drilled a dead center shot from just outside the box past the outstretched arms of Dubin, to increase the Leopards' lead to 2-0. The goal was Salvati's first collegiate goal.
Rain in the second-half slowed down the pace of play. The Leopards continued to maintain control of the ball. Both Lafayette and Holy Cross recorded five shots each in the second-half, with four of Lafayette's shots on goal, and one shot on goal for Holy Cross.
The Leopards concluded the afternoon with a total of 11 shots and Holy Cross had seven. Lafayette recorded nine shots on goal, while Holy Cross had one. Melissa Lamanna and Sara Oswald took four shots a piece, three each on goal. Michaela Salvati and Riley Dowd had one shot each, both of which resulted in Lafayette goals. Katie Butler also took one shot, which was on goal.
Lafayette goalkeeper Lindsay Dewar was in goal for the first-half and faced two shots. Natalie Neumann came in for the second-half, where she faced five shots and recorded one save. Neumann was the goalkeeper of record and was credited with the win.
The Leopards will complete their three-match home stand on Saturday, October 23rd, when they face Colgate University at 2 p.m. at Mike Bourger '44 Field at Oaks Stadium.
