Soccer Teams Prepare for Fall Season in Brand New Stadium

WORCESTER, Mass. – The first home games for the Holy Cross men’s and women’s soccer teams will take place on the new, state-of-the-art Linda Johnson Smith Stadium, which has been under construction since last spring.

The stadium features a top-quality grass surface, permanently-installed aluminum stands with seating capacity for 1,320, and lights for night games.  Surrounded by a fence, with an attractive entrance, the facility also includes a press box and large scoreboard. The stadium, the first new playing facility on campus since the debut of the lighted artificial turf field and running track in 1988, is named in gratitude to Linda and Park B. Smith ’54, for their leadership gift to the $2 million project.

The women’s team, coached by Deb Flaherty and led by senior captains Lisa DeMari, Natalie Gebo Lauren Pereira, and Danielle Reilly, will open the season with afternoon home games against Providence (Aug. 25) and Manhattan (Aug. 27).  The 2006 Crusaders are returning 10 out of 11 starters from last year's team, which went 3-15 overall and 1-6 in the Patriot League.

Coached by Elvis Comrie, the men’s team is returning 13 letterwinners from last year's team and will be led by captain Josh Trott ’07, two-time All-Region and three-time All-Patriot League selection.  The Crusaders will host eight home games, seven of which will be night contests. The home opener on the new field will be against Maine on Sept. 2, followed by St. Bonaventure on Sept. 8.  The Holy Cross men finished the 2005 campaign with an 8-8 overall record and a 2-5 mark in the Patriot League.