Women’s soccer sweeps road-trip against Holy Cross, Army

The women's soccer team moved into first place in the Patriot League with back-to-back road wins at Holy Cross and Army. 

The Bison knocked off the Crusaders 3-1 on Sunday, following a 1-0 triumph over the Black Knights on Oct. 22. 

The Orange and Blue now sit at 10-6-1 overall and 5-1 in the Patriot League.

"I'm really proud of my team, their collective effort and focus," head coach Ben Landis said. "I feel as though we still have our best soccer in front of us."

Christa Matlack '11 scored twice against Holy Cross to lead the Bison to their fifth straight win.

Matlack opened the scoring less than three minutes into the game. 

After collecting her own rebound off of a shot that ricocheted off a Holy Cross defender, she slid the ball into the right corner to give the Bison the early 1-0 lead.

After Holy Cross tied the game at the 9:18 mark, The Orange and Blue regained the lead in the 26th minute on a goal by Chelsea McGorry '10. Lauren Stoller '10 assisted on the play, giving the Bison a 2-1 lead heading into halftime.

Matlack scored her second goal in the 51st minute, and the Bison defense held strong for the remainder of the game to earn the win.

The Orange and Blue outshot Holy Cross 15-8, and goalkeeper Kathryn Sutton '10 made three saves.

"We have been playing so well," Matlack said. "We are working together and getting scoring opportunities as well as stopping our opponents from scoring, and I am so pleased with the effort everyone on the team has put into this season."

In the earlier game against Army, Sutton made three saves, and the Bison defense held Army to just six shots overall, including only two in the second half.

Kelliann Doherty '11 scored the only goal of the game for the Orange and Blue, heading the ball in with an assist by Brooke Stokes '11 in the 58th minute.

Amanda Citron '11 was named Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week on the heels of a strong defensive weekend for the Orange and Blue. 

The Bison allowed just one goal and a total of 14 shot attempts in two games.

The back-to-back wins also guarantee the Bison a spot in the Patriot League Tournament.

The Bison now travel to Colgate for their season finale today. Colgate sits at second place in the conference, two points behind the Orange and Blue.

"Although we have no pressure to win to get in the tournament, the game against Colgate is going to be a battle," Stoller said.

If the Bison can earn a tie or win, they will secure first place in the Patriot League and the right to host the conference playoffs.

"We want this so bad and we refuse to leave Hamilton, N.Y., without a win," Molly Linhart '10 said. "There is nothing more special than hosting the tournament at home, on our amazing field and in front of all our fans."