Holy Cross Stuns Field Hockey with Late Goal

Saturday, October 3

Worcester, Mass.

11 a.m.

Bucknell University

(4-6, 0-3)

Holy Cross

(6-3, 2-1)

Team	1	2	3	4	Final F
Bucknell	0	0	1	0	1
Holy Cross	1	0	0	1	2

Photo by: Steven Schoenfelder

10/3/2026 12:52:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score

WORCESTER, Mass.- Bucknell (4-6, 0-3 Patriot League) entered Saturday morning having won the last 16 of 17 games against Holy Cross (6-3, 2-1 Patriot League). The Crusaders, under their new head coach, changed the series narrative with a dramatic 2-1 victory over the Bison and seized the 21-20 lead in the tight rivalry. Holy Cross' Rachel Egan scored off a penalty corner with ten seconds remaining to stun Bucknell, as the Orange & Blue lost its sixth straight game and fell to 0-3 in conference action.

The Crusaders received the penalty corner opportunity after the Bison could not clear the ball from its backfield. Maguire Sturgis stole the ball from Aubrey DelOrefice and stormed into the circle. Julia Corropolese arose to poke the sphere away. Sturgis immediately called for a challenge. Holy Cross' replay system proved its return on investment. The refs reviewed the footage and called for the penalty corner.

Holy Cross, given renewal, immediately seized advantage. A pair of sisters assisted Egan. Marissa MacLean inserted the ball to her star freshman sister, Marianna MacLean, who served up the pass for Egan. The Crusader aimed and fired. Bucknell goalkeeper Sarah Althouse guessed left, the ball went right, and Corropolese could not make her second defensive save of the day.

The Purple & White opened the scoring in the first quarter. The Crusaders worked through Bucknell's backline. Althouse spat the ball back out but Marianna MacLean collected the item and sent it past the chaotic mess of players. Alexis Schulz stabbed at the ball but it had already crossed the Rubicon.

Bucknell displayed a fighting spirit in the second half. The Bison pushed across the Crusader flanks and obtained a penalty corner. Corropolese's shot went into the circle, bounced around, and Schulz was Janey on the spot. The freshman, ranked top 50 in the recruiting lists, demonstrated why by pouncing on the loose ball and scoring her second goal of 2026.

The Bison had a golden opportunity to tie the contest when Marianna MacLean was whistled for a yellow card. The Crusaders' defense held firm playing a woman down for five minutes.

Althouse was under siege all game, seeing 16 shots directed at her position. She recorded ten saves and several sensational preventive saves by coming off her line and derailing a wide-open Crusader.

Bucknell generated ten shots and obtained six penalty corners to Holy Cross' five.

The Orange & Blue return home to Holmes Stadium on Friday night to play Patriot League rival No. 19 Lafayette in a must-win game.