The Spire

Timmy Gleason ’28

Staff Writer

As the weather becomes cooler and cooler upon the Hilltop overlooking Worcester, the fall sports season is coming to a close. The sunset comes sooner and sooner everyday with winter approaching. This makes for great viewing opportunities to watch the Crusaders under the lights, but the colder temperatures make the early wake-up for 8 am practices even more difficult. With the seasonal changes for the fall to winter transition, many Holy Cross teams have postseason aspirations. One such team is Field Hockey. 

The Holy Cross Women’s Field Hockey Team began their season on August 29, almost exactly two months ago from this week’s publication date. From traveling as far away as Washington, D.C. this Saturday, November 1, to slightly up a couple of steep climbs to the Hart Turf Field & Track, they have certainly seen their fair share of opponents. 

The Crusaders began Patriot League play on September 26, coincidentally almost one month from when their season began, against Boston University (5-10 overall; fifth in the Patriot League) and will end November 1 away at American University. The regular season finale between the Crusaders and Eagles is mounting to be a pivotal Patriot League clash with several playoff implications.

As it currently stands, the Crusaders sit fourth out of seven teams in their conference, holding the tiebreaker over the Terriers of Boston University. If the season ended today, the Crusaders would make the Patriot League Postseason Tournament, as the top four academic institutions earn a bid to the tournament. 

With three of the four teams already clinching a playoff berth, Holy Cross essentially needs to beat American, a-win-to-get-in, to solidify their position for even more field hockey. 

What makes this situation tricky is that the Crusaders not only travel the furthest they’ve gone this season (all the way to Washington, D.C), but they will also compete against the number one squad in the Patriot League: American University (11-5 overall; 1st in the Patriot League). 

The Eagles boast an undefeated interconference record. Meanwhile, Boston University will travel to Hamilton, N.Y. to face off against the Colgate Raiders (4-12 overall; 7th in the Patriot League), who have had a difficult season this campaign. 

The Crusaders’ leading goal scorer, Junior Midfielder Maguire Sturgis (with two goals and an assist in her last three games), will definitely look to get on the score sheet against Holy Cross’ rivals in an effort to secure that postseason berth. 

Fellow classmate and teammate Junior Midfielder Marissa MacLean, who leads the team in assists and at one point had stringed three consecutive games together with an assist, will also attempt to repeat what she’s done all season long: set up her teammates. 

Last year, the #1 seed American University lost in overtime to the Lafayette Leopards (10-6 overall; 2nd in Patriot League) in the Patriot League Championship. 

As the Eagles set their sights on hopefully being a part of that game again this year, their quest is already almost complete by locking up the top seed in the Patriot League again. 

However, the Crusaders have never backed down from steep competition and are definitely well-prepared by Head Coach Lindsay Jackson, Associate Head Coach Maddy Carpenter, and Assistant Coaches Katie Devine and Friso Kuiper to take on the top team in their conference.