Syracuse fights off late comeback to beat Holy Cross 3-1
After Holy Cross cut SU's lead to one early in the second half, Ashley Rauch’s penalty kick with 14 minutes left sealed the Orange’s 3-1 win. Lars Jendruschewitz | Senior Staff Photographer
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Syracuse needed to get its swagger back against Canisius. A comfortable 5-0 win over Charleston Southern on Aug. 15 was quickly put on the back burner when Niagara placed two shots past Shea Vanderbosch within 20 minutes en route to a 2-1 victory two days later.
Thursday, it did just that as the Orange blew past the Golden Griffins 4-0. Next up was a Holy Cross squad that hadn’t won in 333 days. It scored just four goals in 18 games in 2024. In their first three games in 2025, the Crusaders had failed to keep a clean sheet.
In a very similar test to the one it faced a week prior, Syracuse (3-1-0, 0-0-0 Atlantic Coast) clung onto its two-goal first-half lead before Ashley Rauch added another for a 3-1 victory over Holy Cross (0-3-1, 0-0-0 Patriot). Maya McDermott scored her second goal in as many games after not scoring in her first 38, while Rauch registered two goals for the second time this season.
However, through the first 10 minutes, Holy Cross dominated possession and chances. A near-sighter from forward Riley Grable registered its first chance of the afternoon, but it didn’t get past Vanderbosch.
A hopeful long ball to the outside channel from Anna Croyle slowly found its way to Antriana Mila, who deputized in goal for Aubrey Haesche after the freshman was sent off against Siena on Thursday. But instead of letting the ball drift into the 18-yard box, the sophomore rushed a clear that found McDermott.
McDermott found Mia Klammer while the goalie was in no man’s land. But Klammer took it quickly, watching her shot veer wide.
Minutes later, Charlotte Hanchar, Holy Cross’ biggest threat in the first half, intercepted Natalie Magnotta’s loose ball. She raced by Jamsine Nixon. It seemed like the moment the Crusaders would break the deadlock. But when Hanchar went hip-to-hip with Bree Bridges — who’s started every single game for Nicky Thrasher Adams in 2025 — she reached a halt as the freshman ushered her out wide to make the block.
As the first half ticked down, the Orange grew into the game and began to generate the best chances.
Seconds after coming off the bench, Julia Arbelaez’s shot stung the gloves of Mila for the first time. Soon after, SU found itself in Crusaders’ territory, and it took its chance. Face-to-face with Cara Bubnovich, Klammer looked for McDermott, but the freshman stood in the way. When the ball ricocheted back to Klammer for the second time, she neatly found McDermott to tap it home.
Then Rauch extended SU’s lead to two six minutes later. The captain blew by the Crusaders’ midfield before fainting right with a step over and shifting the ball to her left. The finish was picturesque as her strike nestled into the top right corner.
In search of a third, Klammer surged past Katie Boudreau and carried it to the edge of the 18-yard box. As defenders approached her, she touched it to McDermott. But the senior’s attempt went straight into the gloves of Mila.
Two last-ditch defensive efforts from Vanderbosch and Bridges kept SU’s advantage intact. But it was for naught as Grable’s free kick went all the way through and past Vanderbosch, who was unsighted by Olivia Perez’s run in front of her.
Yet, after the Crusaders’ goal, Syracuse owned the bulk of the chances.
A nicely lofted through ball from Rauch gave Klammer the real estate to run unopposed. As she came closer to reestablishing SU’s two-goal advantage, her shot went agonizingly wide. Moments later, the Cyprus international tipped Olivia Bozzo’s effort from outside the 18-yard box onto the bar before making the ensuing save from Ruppert.
Another long-busting run from Klammer in the 76th minute drew in the challenge from Megan Menard. Referee Randall Kelly immediately pointed to the spot, and Rauch, who also scored twice against Charleston Southern, put the Holy Cross comeback on ice.
A week after their loss to Niagara, the Orange looked far better against Holy Cross. It was clinical in attack. It was stubborn in defense. It was robust in midfield.
If Syracuse is to avoid finishing last in the ACC once again, this must continue.
