WORCESTER, Mass. — The Loyola University Maryland women's soccer team opened Patriot League play with a thrilling 2-1 victory over Holy Cross on Sunday, as Savannah Manset's late goal lifted the Greyhounds past the Crusaders at Linda Johnson Smith Soccer Stadium.
Loyola (1-1-7 overall, 1-0 Patriot League) overcame a second-half equalizer from Holy Cross to secure three points in its conference opener.
The Greyhounds wasted little time establishing their presence. Francesca Curatolo put Loyola on the board in the fifth minute off of a corner kick, finishing a pass from Reagan Mallia at the 4:11 mark to give the visitors an early 1-0 advantage.
Loyola carried that lead into halftime despite Holy Cross generating several scoring opportunities. Goalkeeper Hannah Goetzer made three saves in the opening half to keep the Crusaders off the scoreboard.
Holy Cross increased the pressure after the break, outshooting Loyola 10-2 in the second half. The Crusaders eventually found the equalizer in the 76th minute when Karenna Beckstein converted a penalty kick to make it 1-1.
The tie lasted just over a minute.
At 76:46, Manset delivered the decisive moment for the Greyhounds, scoring her second goal of the season to restore Loyola's lead. The goal came moments after Holy Cross had tied the match and gave the visitors a crucial advantage in the closing minutes.
Goetzer and the Loyola defense held firm the rest of the way, fending off the Crusaders' late attempts to preserve the victory.
Goetzer finished with six saves, while Holy Cross goalkeeper Antriana Mila recorded three. The Crusaders held a 17-6 advantage in shots and an 8-2 edge in corner kicks, but Loyola's timely finishing and defensive resilience proved decisive.
