WORCESTER, Mass. – Lacrosse is a game of runs, and the Raiders were on either side of them as the Colgate women's program rallied ahead for a 12-9 victory at Holy Cross.
 
In head coach Kathy Taylor's first Patriot League win in her career, the Raiders outscored the Crusaders by a 7-2 advantage in the second half and showcased strong goalkeeping by first-year Amelia Cunningham's season-high of 12 saves.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
After some early defense, Holy Cross was the first to crack onto a board in the Patriot League opener. It didn't stand for long though, as Noelle Patterson evened the slate just over a minute later, igniting a four-goal run for the Raiders.
 
Patterson's initial tally was swiftly followed by Eliza Soutter winning the draw and scoring the second. Continuing to ride the momentum, Claudia Pilcher was resilient on a free position opportunity where she cashed in on the second rebound attempt. Although Patterson tacked on her second of the day, that would be it for a while as Holy Cross went on a three-goal run of their own to even the game at 4-4.
 
Then for the first time since 26:41, Holy Cross reclaimed the lead with 5:31 remaining in the half at the 5-4 marker. It would again be Patterson with the answer as she capped her second hat trick of the season less than a minute later. Despite several solid stops by Amelia Cunningham in the upcoming minutes, including on a free position opportunity, Holy Cross was able to tack on two more for a 7-5 advantage at the close of the opening 30:00.
 
Returning to the field facing a two-goal deficit, the Raiders didn't hesitate as they looked to even the score. First goal of the half was scored by Kyra Lucey as she made it a one-goal game, before Cara O'Reilly tied it up with a look down low. Adding to the momentum, Colgate was back on top as Sarah Harding capitalized on a free position opportunity, before Soutter extended it to a four-goal run by flipping a ground ball recovery into a goal.
 
Not going down easily, Holy Cross battled back with a pair to tie the game at 9-9. It was then that the game shifted into a defensive showdown as both goalies featured outstanding play and made quality looks at the net few and far between.
 
The goals weren't shut down completely though, as O'Reilly picked up a ground ball, dodged the defender, and found the five-hole to regain Colgate's lead for the third time on the day.
 
It was the last lead needed as Eliza Farriss became the seventh Raider to score by converting on a free position, before the scoring was closed out with a snipe to the far side by O'Reilly to cap her hat trick for the 12-9 victory.
 
STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
• Graduate midfielder Noelle Patterson recorded her second hat trick of the season off of a team-high of eight shots, where she landed five on goal.
• Notching her first career hat trick was sophomore Cara O'Reilly. She also matched her career-high of eight draw control wins for the second straight game.
• A stronghold for the Raiders, first-year goalie Amelia Cunningham registered a season-high of 12 saves.
• Behind a pair, sophomore Eliza Soutter now holds a team-leading 11 goals on the season.
• Gaining possession, the Raiders held a 15-8 edge in draw control wins.
• Accurate at the net, Colgate landed 22 of 26 shots on goal, ultimately outshooting Holy Cross by a 22-21 advantage.
 
THE BOTTOM LINE
• Colgate 12, Holy Cross 9
 
RECORD UPDATES
• Colgate holds a 2-1 record, and a 1-0 mark in Patriot League action.
• Holy Cross opens its season 1-1 in the Patriot League.
 
HEAD COACH KATHY TAYLOR'S TAKE
"It was great to play again this weekend after two weeks off. Our draw team led by Cara O'Reilly, Noelle Patterson and Grace Bowers, was fantastic today giving our offense the opportunities we needed to find the back of the cage, especially in the second half.
 
"Amelia Cunningham was stellar in the cage limiting Holy Cross to just two goals in the second half and notching 12 saves on the day. It was an outstanding road win to come from behind and an important start to our Patriot League schedule."
 
UP NEXT
Colgate returns home next Sunday, March 21 for its first league matchup at Andy Kerr Stadium. First draw is set for 1 p.m. against Boston University.
 
FOLLOW THE RAIDERS
For more information on the Colgate women's lacrosse program, follow the Raiders on Twitter @ColgateWLax and on Instagram at ColgateWLax.