By Lauren Whelan, Sports Editor

Back on home turf, the women’s soccer team stunned Holy Cross on Sept. 26 with a decisive 2-0 victory to turn around its momentum and garner its first Patriot League win of the season. The Bison’s goals were scored by teammates and twins Kendall Ham ’18 and Jackie Ham ’18, one in each half of the competition. Goalie Jessica Ratner ’17 had three saves on the day, keeping Holy Cross scoreless for the shutout victory.

The first goal for the Orange and Blue came in the 30th minute of play, when Lauren Dandie ’16 was able to get the ball to Alexis Gannon ’17 in the attacking end of the field. Gannon notched an assist when she crossed the ball into Kendall Ham. Ham capitalized on the opportunity, finding the bottom right corner of the net to make the score 1-0 in favor of the Bison.

The second half proved just as successful for the Bison, when Jackie Ham also garnered a goal for the Orange and Blue in the 67th minute of play. The second goal came off of a drive from Jackie Ham up the right wing, where she took a strong left-footed shot that sailed past the Holy Cross goalkeeper to make the score 2-0.

Despite a few close opportunities for Holy Cross, goalkeeper Ratner and the Bison defense were able to maintain the shutout for the Bison with some key saves, particularly a blocked shot coming from a free kick awarded to Holy Cross right outside of the Bison’s own 18 yard box. The Bison outshot their opponents 12-11.

The game marks an important milestone for the Bison, as it is the fifth shutout for the team so far this season. The team has not yet allowed a goal on its home field, and its five-shutout statistic is the third-most in a single season since 2006.

The Bison faced Lafayette on Sept. 30 and will now look to defend their home turf once more against Colgate on Oct. 4.