EASTON, Pa. - Lafayette women's soccer returned to Easton on Saturday for the opening match of Patriot League play, defeating Holy Cross 1-0 at Gummeson Grounds: Home of Mike Bourger '44 Field at Oaks Stadium.

Neither team scored in the first 45 minutes, with both squads splitting time with the ball almost evenly. Holy Cross recorded five shots in the first half, while Lafayette was credited with two. The Leopards had four corner kicks, and Holy Cross had one.

In the 70th minute, the scoring drought ended. After a save by Holy Cross goalkeeper Mackenzie Wagner, the ball rebounded back to Lafayette freshman Nadia Zaffanella, who sent a shot off the right post past Wagner, to give the Leopards a 1-0 lead.

Lafayette continued to play stellar defense for the remainder of the match, keeping Holy Cross' offense at bay and closing out the 1-0 victory for the Maroon and White.

Lafayette ended the afternoon with eight shots, five of which were on goal. Holy Cross also had eight shots, with five on goal. The Leopards were awarded a total of seven corners, while the Crusaders had four. Both junior Michaela Salvati and senior Sara Oswald recorded two shots for the Leopards, while junior Gretchen Waechter, sophomore Katrina Santelli, freshmen Heather Plowright and Zaffanella  were credited with one shot each.

Senior Lindsay Dewar started the match for Lafayette and played the full 90 minutes, recording five saves. Wagner played 90 minutes for Holy Cross and recorded three saves. 

The Leopards close out their three-game homestand on Wednesday, hosting rival Lehigh at 7 p.m.