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Women's
Lacrosse season in review
After their 2001 Patriot League Championship appearance,
the Crusaders were poised and ready for the 2002 season.
Despite returning eight starters to the team, the women faced
a challenging schedule without the help of Jen Amendola
'01—former co-captain, a three-time All Patriot
League selection, 1998 Patriot League Rookie of the Year,
a career-record holder for goals and points and a 2001 Northeast
Region All-American.
This season, the Crusaders were lead by tri-captains, midfielders Taylor
R. Connolly '02 (Skaneateles, N.Y.) and Beth A.
Pugliano '02 (Loudonville, N.Y.) and defensive player, Susan
MacWilliams '02 (Arnold, Md.). Holy Cross started the
season with an overtime win against Fairfield University,
highlighted by a three-goal performance by MacWilliams.
After a tough loss to Massachusetts, the Crusaders rebounded
with a win over Sacred Heart, which included a four-goal
performance by Justine A. Reeber '03 (Newport, R.I.),
three goals by two-time All-Patriot League selection Erin
G. Rowse '03 (Baltimore, Md.) and 18 saves from goaltender Mary (Kellaigh) Malangone
'03 (Lake Grove, N.Y.).
Following back-to-back losses to Davidson and American,
the Crusaders battled back with wins over Howard and Colgate.
With a 4-3 record, the Crusaders were getting worthy contributions
from all players, especially midfielder Catherine E. Britt
'04 (Winchester, Mass.), who quickly emerged as the team's
leading scorer. After her five-goal performance against Villanova,
Britt was selected as the Patriot League Women's Lacrosse
Offensive Player of the Week, an honor which Rowse had also
received one week earlier for her effort against Colgate.
The end of March marked the start of a very difficult stretch
for the Crusaders who closed out their season by losing seven
of their final nine games. The two victories include a 13-9
win over Vermont and a 10-9 overtime win over Bucknell. The
Crusaders showed sincere effort in tough games with Villanova,
Albany and Lehigh. All three games were lost with time winding
down in the second half.
Holy Cross finished the season with a record of 6-12, 2-4
in the Patriot League. The team was led offensively by Britt,
who scored 36 goals, and Rowse, who chipped in with 23 goals
and 26 assists. Rowse earned Second Team All-Patriot League
honors for her efforts. Also contributing greatly were Reeber,
(24 goals and 10 assists), Heather E. Bryce '03 (Arnold,
Md.), (10 goals and 7 assists), and Kerry M. Daly '04 (Pelham,
N.Y.), (12 goals). Defensively, Holy Cross was led by MacWilliams
and Roth, who also earned Second Team All-Patriot League
honors.
With as many as 19 players returning for the 2003 season
and the expectations of a great recruiting class, the Crusaders
have a right to be optimistic about the future.
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