Maddie Carr ’28
Staff Writer
The Holy Cross Women’s Soccer Team’s 2025 season came to an emotional end on Saturday, as the Crusaders fell to Lafayette in a penalty shootout in the Patriot League quarterfinals. After a 2-2 draw through regulation and overtime, the game slipped away 4-2 in penalties. This gutting finish did not quite capture how much the program achieved this year.
Holy Cross finished the season with a 6-7-6 overall record, 3-3-3 in conference play. It was a year not just defined by results, but also by steady progress. The Crusaders continued to build on the foundation set by head coach Ben Graham, earning a home playoff game for the second straight season.
The quarterfinal loss was the kind that stings. Holy Cross had jumped out to a 2-0 halftime lead with goals from senior Sam Halligan and junior Karenna Beckstein before Lafayette stormed back to tie it and eventually outlast the Crusaders in the shootout. While the ending was painful, it also showcased the fight and chemistry that made this team special.
From the first weeks of the season, those qualities were evident. The Crusaders played a challenging nonconference schedule that tested them early, including matchups against Rhode Island and Marist. Those games, often decided by a single goal, helped shape a team that appeared to grow more confident as the season progressed.
By October, Holy Cross found its rhythm. The defense, anchored by senior Brooke Chevanenes, sophomore Julianna Silva, and junior gatekeeper Aubrey Haesche became one of the most organized units in the Patriot League. Haesche, in particular, emerged as a standout, recording multiple shutouts and ranking among the league’s leaders in saves.
Haesche earned Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Year honors, and was named First Team All-Patriot League. Beckstein also received First Team All-Patriot League honors.
Offensively, Beckstein and Halligan carried the scoring load, combining for crucial goals in key conference wins. Nevertheless, what set the Crusaders apart this year was not any one player, but the balance within the team. Underclassmen stepped into meaningful roles alongside veterans, giving the roster depth.
The team’s 6-7-6 record does not fully reflect how close they were to breaking through. Eight of those games were decided by one goal, and several ended in draws that could have easily gone Holy Cross’ way. Their ability to compete with top programs like Army and Boston University showed that the Crusaders could be a threat in the Patriot League in the years to come.
Looking to next season, the Crusaders will look to keep progressing. The mix of experienced returners and young talent suggests that there is plenty of reason for optimism heading into 2026. Players like Beckstein, Silva, and Haesche will return with playoff experience and a want to finish what the group started.
For a program that has been on the rise, this season marked another important chapter. The end to their season may have come too soon, but the Crusaders’ journey from early-season uncertainty to hosting a playoff game was proof that Holy Cross women’s soccer is trending in the right direction.
Featured image courtesy of Holy Cross Athletics
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