Women's Lacrosse Prevails in 17-16 Thriller Against Holy Cross

Wednesday, April 17

West Point, NY

6:00 PM

Army West Point

7-7,5-2

Holy Cross

10-4,5-2

Holy Cross

ARMY

Women's Lacrosse Prevails in 17-16 Thriller Against Holy Cross

April 18, 2024 | Women's Lacrosse

Box Score Photo Gallery

WEST POINT, NY - Army West Point women's lacrosse (7-7, 5-2 Patriot League) took down Holy Cross (10-4, 5-2 Patriot League) in a 17-16 thriller from Michie Stadium on Wednesday night.

The Black Knights used a defensive stand in the final seconds to secure the win as the Crusaders had possession with a chance to tie it at the end of regulation.

Army outscored Holy Cross 8-6 in the second half and was led by sophomore Allison Reilly who poured in a game-high six goals to help propel the Black Knights.

The Crusaders were clinical in their work offensively, scoring 16 times on 18 shots on goal. Army outshot its opponent 38-27 in the contest while the Crusaders won the draw 21-13.

Alyce Smith registered a hat trick in the first half for Army, after entering play with just one career goal. Brigid Duffy had three assists to go along with a goal, seven draw controls and four ground balls. Ryan Remaly also filled the stat sheet with two goals, an assist, five draw controls, two caused turnovers and two ground balls. Remaly also made her first career start in the contest along with Amara Higgins.

Smith got the scoring started within the first minute of the contest with a free-position goal, marking her first goal of the season. Army's offense continued to convert in the opening frame, scoring five times as Lily Valentini got on the scoresheet while Reilly beat her defender twice to convert a pair. A late goal from Duffy assisted by Remaly eventually gave the Black Knights a 5-2 lead through the opening 15 minutes.

The second quarter saw the Crusaders ignite their offense, led by the trio of Isabela Miller, Lauren Drillock and Sally Zinsner. Holy Cross scored eight times in the frame, eventually taking a 10-9 lead into halftime. Army kept pace late in the frame, with Smith scoring a pair while Reilly added another as both secured first half hat tricks. Army had just four turnovers in the first half but only saved one shot out of 11 on goal from the Crusaders.

Holy Cross eventually held a 13-11 lead with 2:44 remaining, with two more unassisted goals from Reilly accounting for Army's second half scoring to that point. Anderson Strange appeared in goal for the Black Knights to begin the half, with Lindsey Serafine eventually re-entering at the 13-11 scoreline.

Army quickly responded with a 3-0 spurt in the final 2:30 of the quarter to take a 14-13 lead into the fourth. It began with a caused turnover, ground ball and assist in transition from Duffy who fed Gabrielle Mirak for her first tally of the game. Duffy then assisted Valentini before a last second free-position goal from Remaly capped the quarter in which Army won 5-3.

Mirak secured her second of the game to open the fourth quarter scoring and extend Army's lead while on a woman-up advantage. After a Crusaders answer, the sides played over seven minutes of scoreless lacrosse before Reilly tabbed her sixth of the game to make it 16-14 with 5:43 to play. Remaly netted the next goal just over a minute later, and Army led by three with four minutes to play.

The Crusaders would not go quietly, scoring on the woman-up before making it a one-goal game with a goal from Ella Kittredge with 54 seconds remaining. Needing the next draw control to stay in the game, Holy Cross secured it through Rachel Levy-Smith's game-high 11th of the contest as the Crusaders called timeout to set up its final offensive possession.

Needing a defensive stand to secure the win, the Black Knights defense did just that, forcing an errant pass in space in the closing seconds with Sarah Chernik securing the game-clinching ground ball.

It marked the first one-goal game of the season for Army, who now own the tiebreaker over the Crusaders with both teams currently sitting at 5-2 in the conference. Army made only two saves in the contest and were defeated in the draw 21-13 but used a 38-27 total shot advantage to push through. Holy Cross had 18 turnovers compare to ten for the Black Knights, who were a perfect 17-17 in the clear.

Army moved to 5-2 in the Patriot League with the win and will take on Bucknell on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. as the campaign continues.