Billy Fitzpatrick ‘20
Editor-in-Chief

With winter sports season rounding third base and some spring sports already underway, let’s take a look around campus to see how Holy Cross athletics has been faring in competition recently… 

Note: All stats and records updated as of Tuesday, Feb. 11.

Men’s Basketball

Since we last covered the men’s basketball team, the Crusaders have dropped two Patriot League contests, one at home and one on the road. On Wednesday, Feb. 5, HC (3-22 overall, 2-10 Patriot League) hosted Loyola (Md.) and fell by a score of 74-60. The Greyhounds (12-13 overall, 4-8 PL) led by 11 at the half and hung on in the second frame for a comfortable win. Holy Cross junior guard Austin Butler joined the 1,000 point club in this one, the 52nd Crusader in program history to reach the milestone. He led HC with 16 points, three assists, three rebounds, and two steals. On Saturday, Feb. 8, Holy Cross made the short journey to the state’s capital to take on Boston University. BU (15-10 overall, 9-3 PL) clinched a season series sweep by topping the Crusaders 77-68. First-year forward Joe Pridgen paced the Crusaders with 22 points and eight rebounds. HC entered halftime with a one-point lead, but a strong second half from BU gave them the win.

Women’s Basketball

Last Saturday, Feb. 8, the Holy Cross women’s basketball team faced BU in an important league matchup. Coming into the contest, both clubs stood at 6-4 in Patriot League play, meaning this game was loaded with playoff seeding implications. The Terriers (12-10 overall, 7-4 PL) walked away with a 62-51 home victory over the Crusaders (13-9 overall, 6-5 PL). HC fell in a hole early as BU opened up a 15-8 lead after the first period and never looked back. Sophomore guard Avery LaBarbera led Holy Cross with 17 points, while senior forward Lauren Manis added 12 points and seven boards. 

Men’s Ice Hockey

Last weekend, the men’s ice hockey team had a rare non-conference game in the middle of the Atlantic Hockey schedule, hosting No. 11/9 Arizona State. The Sun Devils (19-9-3) managed to top Holy Cross 3-2 in a comeback overtime victory. Holy Cross (9-13-5) used two second period goals to take a 2-1 lead heading into the final period. However, Arizona State leveled the score early in the third period and then won the game with less than two minutes remaining in overtime. Prior to that, Holy Cross split a two-game home series with RIT.

Women’s Ice Hockey

Last Saturday, Feb. 8, the women’s ice hockey took on No. 8 Boston University at home. The Terriers (20-6-3) won 5-2, despite Holy Cross (3-21-5) opening the scoring in the first period. The HC goalscorers were junior forward Katie MacCuaig and first-year forward Mary Edmonds. Prior to that game, the Crusaders tied the University of Vermont in Burlington on Feb. 2.

Men’s Lacrosse

The men’s lacrosse team (1-1) has opened its season by splitting a pair of close games. On Feb. 1, Holy Cross topped Merrimack, 13-12, on the road in North Andover, Mass. HC got out to a hot start, leading 4-1 after the first quarter and 8-4 at halftime. However, Merrimack clawed back in the second half, tying the game at 10 with just over eight minutes remaining. Senior midfielder Connor Waldron broke the tie, but Merrimack responded with another equalizer. Seniors Kevin Kodzis and Sean Mullaney scored goals in quick succession to give HC the crucial two-goal lead. 

Last Saturday, Feb. 8, the Crusaders nearly notched what would have been an impressive early season win, falling to Providence 6-4. The Friars (2-0) held a 5-1 halftime lead, but HC mounted a late rally to make the hosts earn the victory. Senior Justin Lynskey cut the lead to three late in the third period. First-year Dean DiNanno and Kodzis each notched goals in the fourth quarter to cut the PC lead to one with five minutes to go. However, Providence held strong and put the game out of reach with a goal in the last 30 seconds.

Women’s Lacrosse

The women’s lacrosse team opened its season last Saturday, Feb. 8, with a 10-8 road win over Fairfield. It was the Crusaders’ first win over the Stags in their last three tries. Sophomore Julie Creo and senior Bryn Carroll each scored four goals. Fairfield closed the gap to 9-8 with just under three minutes remaining, but Carroll iced the win for HC with her fourth goal with 53 seconds to go.