Ruth Ayala Terrazas ’29
Staff Writer
As the Holy Cross men’s lacrosse season enters its final stretch, nothing is being taken for granted. This is J.L. Reppert’s sixth season as head coach, and it is evident that the years of rebuilding are paying off.
The 2026 season opened with a competitive game against Providence, resulting in a 15-10 loss for the Crusaders. Despite the loss, the offensive potential of the team was shown, including standout moments from Freshman Aedan Cassidy, who scored his first two collegiate goals.
Determined to respond, the Crusaders hit the road to face Hofstra. Senior Will Messineo set the tone early, scoring in the opening three minutes of the game. Mindful of their struggles against Providence, the team knew they had to maintain momentum for the entirety of the game.
Late in the fourth quarter, Hofstra held a lead of 8-6, but with eleven minutes left in regulation, Junior Jon-Luke Duley scored a crucial comeback goal. Two minutes later, fellow Junior Jude Lynch followed, tying the game at 8-8 and forcing overtime.
Due to a scoreless first overtime, the teams entered double overtime where Junior Ryan Botek’s sudden-death goal sealed a 9-8 victory. When asked about the significance of the Hofstra win, Mateo Corcoran, a Freshman defenseman, stated that the team “wanted [the win] badly and [for] everyone it had a somewhat culminating effect. We were working so hard in the fall and we knew that we had something different this year.”
The team’s collaborative dynamic that Corcoran described was undeniable in their next game, as they won 14-8 at Merrimack. An impressive five-goal run by Juniors Sam McDonald and Bo Webster, Sophomores Owen Tunney and Jake Doran, and Cassidy, in the second half helped solidify the win.
After two strong road wins, the Crusaders returned home to face Sacred Heart. The team came out strong with an 8-7 lead at the half. Yet, the Pioneers were able to gain control of the game and went up 10-9. Lynch tied the game at 10-10 early in the fourth quarter, but the Pioneers pulled away and secured a win of 15-11.
Overall, the Crusaders’ defense and promising young players indicate an upward trend in the program’s success. Although there have been losses this season, their next game against Le Moyne truly showcased the team’s power and skill.
The game ended in a dominant 12–5 Crusader victory over the Dolphins. The offense stayed solid scoring eight consecutive goals. This included Freshman Caleb DaRocha’s first two goals of his collegiate career.
Corcoran goes on to explain, “as time again proves the odds wrong, we continue to learn how to win and furthermore shift the public image of the program. ”
In the next game, the Crusaders faced Army, who held a record of 5-0, and has historically dominated games against Holy Cross. Army won 13-5, but back at home, the Crusaders beat Colgate, 11-10, on Senior Day, and later, Lafayette 11-9.
While winning games is a huge component of the season’s success, there has been a notable positive shift in how the team carries themselves. Coach Reppert is fostering a culture that focuses on the present rather than the past, using current talent and chemistry as evidence for the rising success of the team.
Senior leadership also emphasizes that the program would not be where it is today without the hard work of the many athletes who have come through it, serving not only as motivation but also hinting at the idea of legacy.
Featured image courtesy of Holy Cross Athletics
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