Timmy Gleason ‘28
Staff Writer
Both of the Crusaders’ soccer teams are officially off the mark for the new 2025-26 season. The new excitement can be felt all around Linda B. Johnson stadium, with new rivalries being made and the rekindling of previous fierce matchups. The early season sample size may be too small to show any future indications of how the two respective teams will end their season, but it’s definitely exciting to review all the action that has happened so far.
The Holy Cross Women’s Soccer team competed in seven matches at the time this article was written. Beginning almost a month ago, the Crusaders competed against Fairfield University (5-1 overall) in Worcester in their season-opener. A first-half goal by the Stags was the difference maker in the game.
Three days later, the team embarked on a two-game away trip that saw them compete in games in Brookline, Mass. and Loudonville, N.Y.. In Massachusetts, the Crusaders tied versus Northeastern University (1-3-2 overall) via a goal by sophomore Keilly Quezada assisted by senior Riley Grable. Siena College (2-2-3 overall; 0-1 in conference) hosted the White and Purple next where Charlotte Hanchar’s opening goal, assisted by senior Olivia Perez, was crossed out by two Saints’ scores.
However, the Crusaders picked up steam when they returned to their famous soccer stadium. Though they were defeated by the Syracuse Orange (4-1-3 overall), they defeated the University of New Hampshire (1-2-3 overall) by three goals to one and also shut out Marist University (0-5-1 overall). Their two consecutive wins were built upon a win against the University of Maine at their home place by means of a first-half score.
In their three-game winning streak, senior Olivia Perez, junior Abigail Cushing, junior Karenna Beckstein, freshman Cara Bubonovich, sophomore Caroline Bierfeldt, and fifth-year Sam Halligan all scored to aid the Crusaders as they continue their early season monument. In addition, the assists that set up these goals were by junior Abigail Cushing, sophomore Caroline Bierfeldt, junior Karenna Beckstein, and senior Olivia Perez.
The next women’s game is away at Albany University in Albany, N.Y. on Thursday, September 11 at 6:30 p.m. just before time of print. The next home match for the Crusaders is against University of Rhode Island on Sunday, September 14 at 2:00 p.m., during which the Crusader Community Festival will be celebrated as well.
While looking at the Patriot League conference, Holy Cross currently sits seventh, but possesses a better record than their surrounding opponents. Their first Patriot League competition is against the current first-place holder in the Patriot League division, Loyola Maryland (3-1-2 overall). Though it is very young into the new season, the three-game win streak and the early success of the new campaign gives one clear indication: the Crusaders’ soccer team will contend for the Patriot League title this year.
Featured image courtesy of Holy Cross Athletics
Copy Edited by Sabine Hinkaty ’26
Leave a Reply