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The Holy Cross Crusaders are the 13th Division I team in our 2018 schedule preview series and the third team from the Patriot League. The Crusaders made it to their second straight Patriot League Tournament last season, where they upset Navy in the quarterfinals.
Here’s the entire 2018 schedule:
Holy Cross’s 2018 Schedule
| Date | Road Team | Home Team | Special Notes | Last Year's Meeting(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Road Team | Home Team | Special Notes | Last Year's Meeting(s) |
| 1/20 | Holy Cross | Rutgers | Scrimmage | |
| 1/27 | Holy Cross | Bryant/Assumption | Scrimmages at Bryant | |
| 2/3 | Holy Cross | Dartmouth | Scrimmage | |
| 2/10 | Holy Cross | Providence | 10-4 L | |
| 2/17 | Vermont | Holy Cross | 14-8 L | |
| 2/20 | Holy Cross | Harvard | 12-9 L | |
| 2/24 | Holy Cross | Lehigh | Patriot League | 14-8 W |
| 3/3 | Loyola | Holy Cross | Patriot League | 16-9 L, 13-3 L |
| 3/10 | Bucknell | Holy Cross | Patriot League | 10-8 W |
| 3/17 | Holy Cross | Army West Point | Patriot League | 10-4 L |
| 3/20 | Brown | Holy Cross | 17-14 L | |
| 3/24 | Holy Cross | Quinnipiac | First meeting since 2011 (10-5 L) | |
| 3/31 | Holy Cross | Navy | Patriot League | 11-4 L, 11-7 W |
| 4/7 | Lafayette | Holy Cross | Patriot League | 10-5 W |
| 4/14 | Holy Cross | Colgate | Patriot League | 12-11 W |
| 4/20 | Boston University | Holy Cross | Patriot League, Turnpike Trophy | 12-11 L/OT |
One change from last year’s schedule is swapping MAAC opponents. Marist is off the schedule, and in comes Quinnipiac. The Bobcats are also an hour closer to the Crusaders than Marist is.
Let’s check out some notable games on this schedule:
Best Non Conference Game: @ Harvard
After starting the season 4-0, the Crimson fell flat on their faces, losing all but two games for the remainder of the year. Chris Wojcik has nearly a brand new staff with him this year and is returning Morgan Cheek at attack. The Crimson only defeated the Crusaders by three last year.
Best Conference Game: @ Colgate
With the decline from Colgate the past couple of years, this game has always been very important for the Crusaders in terms of getting into the Patriot League Tournament. Two years ago, their win over the Raiders meant beating Boston University in the season finale gave them a spot in the Patriot League Tournament. That happened (sorry Marisa). Last year, the win over Colgate clinched a spot in the league tournament.
Under The Radar Game: @ Lehigh
This might have big implications come early April, even though the game is in late February. Both teams have made the Patriot League Tournament in the past two years, and Lehigh might be on the rise again. With some senior losses on Holy Cross, Lehigh might be able to capitalize in 2018.
Possible Upset: @ Providence
A mild upset, but one nonetheless. Providence is coming of a very good 2017 season where they were one goal short of winning the Big East Championship. Goaltender Tate Boyce is one of the better netminders in the nation, as well as two very good juniors on offense in Brendan Kearns and Nick Hatzipetrakos. A win here could change the entire season outlook for the team.