HAMILTON – Colgate saw reigning Patriot League Rookie of the Year Catherine Williams tally a goal in the 83rd minute to take a 1-0 victory over Holy Cross on Saturday night.

"We knew Holy Cross would be a better team than its record showed," Colgate head coach Kathy Brawn said. "I am proud of the way our team prepared and played after a short turnaround following our midweek Army game. Caroline Brawner has been a standout for us all year, and that was quite evident tonight. Cat Williams showed great perseverance in finding a way to finish. The team will take a well deserved couple of days off and get back at it on Tuesday as we get ready for Bucknell."

Holy Cross marked the Raider's midfield slowing the pace of the game in the opening 45 minutes but the Raiders made the appropriate adjustments to that style of play in the second half and it paid off as Williams notched her third of the season. The play for Colgate (8-4, 4-1 PL) was made possible thanks to a beautiful through ball from junior captain Caroline Brawner. Rookie Brenna Mason recorded five saves in her fifth win of the year.

The Crusaders (2-8-3, 2-3 PL) were led by Gina Righini, who notched four shots in the loss. Six other Crusaders posted shots in the contest. Carly McCabe earned five stops in the game as well.

The Raiders tallied a great chance on net in the 19th minute of play. Colgate played a cross into the box, finding the head of Williams. Her flick on net looked good but McCabe grabbed it out of the air for the save.

A few minutes later Emily Manoogian took a beautiful corner kick right to the head of Emily Pullen. The freshman's redirection sailed just high over the net but gave the Raiders another good chance on goal.

Holy Cross answered on the other end of the field with a chance of its own. Off a Cassie Muzik corner kick, the ball found the head of Sarah Price but her try on net went high over the crossbar.

Just before halftime Chelsea Roche took a free kick from 30 yards out on the left side of the field. She bent her shot to the opposite corner of the goal but it just grazed the post sailing out for a goal kick.

After a scoreless first half, Williams started a Raider attack when she sent a dangerous cross into the 18-yard box. McCabe came diving out, however, to make a great stop before Sarah Coy could find it with her foot.

The Raiders continued to try and break down the Crusaders back four when Kelsey Hough played a perfect ball behind the defense to Williams. Holy Cross saw McCabe make a stellar block though before Williams got a good shot off.

Colgate had another great look on net a few minutes later when Williams played the ball into Brawner off the endline. The junior, who was wide open eight-yards out from goal fired a shot but again McCabe was there to earn the stop, saving a potential goal.

With less than eight minutes remaining in the game, the Raiders' attacking pressure paid off as Williams placed one past McCabe for the eventual game-winner. The play started after Brawner sent a brilliant through ball behind the Holy Cross defense to Williams, who slipped it past the goalie for the game's lone goal.

Colgate held strong throughout the remainder of the game to secure its fourth win in conference play and sixth shutout of the year.

The Raiders travel next to Bucknell on Saturday for a league matchup starting at noon.