THE BASICS:
• Score: Holy Cross 1, La Salle 0
• Records: Holy Cross (1-0); La Salle (0-1)
• Location: Lowell, Mass. - Wicked Blue Field
• The Lead: Holy Cross junior midfielder Kaitlyn Murray (Farmington, Conn.) scored the game-winning goal in the 48th minute on a penalty stroke to help lead the Crusaders to a 1-0 season-opening victory over La Salle in non-conference field hockey action on Friday afternoon.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
• The teams went back-and-forth in the first half, as each side had six shots and four on goal, but the score remained knotted at 0-0 through the first 35 minutes. Crusader freshman forward Maureen Connolly (New Canaan, Conn.) had three shots in the first half and two on goal for Holy Cross.
• In the second half, La Salle had three penalty corners within the first four minutes of action, but the Crusader defense only allowed one shot on goal during that stretch.
• Murray broke the stalemate in the 48th minute (47:49) with her goal off a penalty stroke.
• Holy Cross upped its pressure over the final 22 minutes of action, as it outshot the Explorers by a 5-1 margin (3-0 shots on goal), and would go on to claim the 1-0 victory.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
• Crusader senior goalkeeper Kat Matchett (Maple Glen, Pa.) made five saves in the shutout effort, while La Salle goalie Rachel Hartman pushed away 11 shots on net.
• Holy Cross held advantages in total shots (17-9) and shots on goal (12-5), while La Salle held the edge in penalty corners (7-5).
• The Crusaders outshot the Explorers 11-3 in the second half, including an 8-1 advantage in shots on goal.
• Murray, senior midfielder Colby Lohrey (West Simsbury, Conn.) and junior midfielder Michelle McNeil (Canton, Mass.) led the Crusaders with three shots on goal apiece.
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
• The shutout by Matchett is the third of her career, which is two shy of tying her for seventh place in Holy Cross history.
• Murray's goal was the second of her career.
• Holy Cross is now 1-1-1 all-time versus La Salle.
UP NEXT:
• Holy Cross returns to action on Saturday, August 30, when it will take on Longwood in Lowell, Mass. at 11:00 a.m.
You can follow Holy Cross Athletics on Twitter @GoHolyCross as well as the field hockey team @HolyCrossFH.
