The ‘Cats are back on track.

Freshman midfielder Liz Lane scored her first career goal as a Wildcat, as UNH grabbed a decisive 3-2 victory over the Holy Cross Crusaders. Junior forward Brooke Murphy added another multi-goal game in the winning effort,  the first win for the ‘Cats after dropping two down in North Carolina last week.

The Crusaders kept things close when they rattled off two quick shots that slipped past goalkeeper Mimi Borkan, cutting the deficit to 3-2 with only minutes remaining in the second half. However, UNH was able to halt any further progress and secure the victory with a big defensive stand. Borkan stopped six of seven shots on goal in the afternoon.

“I think the team sees the potential that we have and knows that we can do something potentially special this year,” head coach Steve Welham said. “We have very good leadership.”

The Wildcats struck first, and the Porter, Maine native Lane had a moment she won’t soon forget.

Off of a pass from Murphy, Lane scored her first ever goal in a Wildcat uniform to give UNH the 1-0 lead. Welham says the goal was a culmination of all her hard work up to this point.

“[Lane] is starting to see the field and game more and is starting to link up and ‘click’ with [Murphy],” Welham said. “Liz finished her shot very well and was unlucky to not have one or two more.”

Murphy once again found her way on the stat sheet with her third of the season to put the ‘Cats up by two, while adding an insurance goal later in the second half to give UNH a three-goal edge. Despite the small comeback bid, three was enough to earn the second win of the season for UNH.

UNH also bolstered a strong defensive performance, as the team battled for 81 minutes before giving up a single goal, as well as fighting off seven shots from the Crusaders. 

After a long road trip, the ‘Cats return home to play Harvard on Thursday, Sept. 15.