EASTON, Pa.- The Lafayette field hockey team scored once each quarter to defeat Holy Cross 4-1 on Saturday afternoon. This game was dedicated to Pancreatic Cancer awareness and focused on supporting the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN). The Leopards are now 6-2 overall and 1-1 in the Patriot League, as this was their first conference victory of the year.
"We created a lot of scoring opportunities tonight with a cohesive and threatening offensive unit," said head coach Jennifer Stone. "As this was our first Patriot League win, we will use it to keep moving forward this week in practice, as well as looking ahead to other conference opponents."
The Leopards got on the board first (13:43) with a goal from freshman midfielder Filine Gerbrandij. Junior Simone Hefting sent a corner shot to Gerbranij, who was able to redirect it into the back of the net.
In the second period (17:30), senior Audrey Sawers shot the ball to the right corner of the cage, where senior forward Alix Talkow dove to tip the ball past Holy Cross' Lauber.
Lafayette was relentless in the attacking twenty-five, outshooting the Crusaders (3-4 overall, 0-2 PL) 36 to five; the last three quarters of the game saw 10+ shots per quarter from the home team. The Leopards also held a dominant claim over penalty corners (8-2).
Sophomore midfielder Alden Boccella extended the Leopards' lead at 31:02, battling through a double-team to score off a strong drive. Hefting recorded the first defensive safe for Lafayette this season at 33:02.
Hefting tallied the Leopards' final goal of the night (50:29) during a corner. Her castle was given the ball by Audrey Sawers after faking out the flyer for a clean shot.
The Crusaders scored just seven minutes later (57:24) after Isabella Henderson gave a cross pass to Sarah Potter.
Holy Cross goalkeeper Emma Lauber made a total of 15 saves, where her Lafayette counterpart Hailey Abbott made one in the victory.
The Leopards will return to Rappolt Field on Saturday as they square off against Colgate at 11 a.m.
