THE BASICS

• Score: American 8, Holy Cross 1
• Records: Holy Cross (3-3-0); American (5-2-0)
• Location: Worcester, Mass. (Hart Turf Field at the Luth Athletic Complex)
• The Lead:  Sophomore midfielder Emily Loprete scored in fifth minute of the game to give the Crusaders a 1-0 lead, but it wasn't enough as Holy Cross fell 8-1 against American on Saturday afternoon at the Hart Turf Field at the Luth Athletic Complex in the opening of Patriot League play.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Loprete got the scoring started early in the fifth minute (4:33), with a deflection off a cross by junior forward Maureen Connolly.
• American tied it up in the 23rd minute (22:17) from a cross through the circle by sophomore Rafaela Rubas that was hit in by junior Haley Bowcutt.
• As time ran out in the first half, the Eagles took the lead on a corner, put into motion by senior Jess Davis, set up by sophomore Rachel Stefano and powered into the net by senior Natalie Konerth.
• In the 41st minute (40:31),  American extended the lead with a goal by junior Leah DiGiandomenico, which was tipped off a cross from Konerth.
• American scored another goal off a penalty corner in the 52nd minute (51:20) sent in from Davis, set by Stefano and finished off by Konerth.
• The Eagles went up 5-1 in the 57th minute (56:40) when Bowcutt scored unassisted off a save.
• Freshman Emily Horgan extended the American lead to 6-1 in the 64th minute (63:21) unassisted with a shot from the bottom right corner. 
• In the 69th minute of play (68:48), Rubas scored off a penalty corner with a pass from freshman Kat Roncoroni to put the Eagles up 7-1.
• With no time left in the game, Hogan scored her second goal off a penalty corner pass from Davis to finalize the score 8-1.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Freshman goalkeeper Marcia LaPlante registered 12 saves in the loss. 
• Alexandra Morris stopped two shots for American.
• The Eagles outshot the Crusaders 21-10.
• Loprete and senior Lauren Sutherland each had three shots for Holy Cross. 
• American took 11 penalty corners, while Holy Cross took seven.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• Connolly has notched at least one point in her last 11 games for a total of 17 points this season.
• Loprete's goal was her second of the season, making her second on the team for points with five.
• LaPlante's 12 saves were a new career high.

UP NEXT

• Holy Cross returns to action on Wednesday, Sept. 21, against non-conference opponent Fairfield at the Hart Turf Field at the Luth Athletic Complex with action beginning at 7:05 p.m.

KEEP CONNECTED

• To stay updated on the Holy Cross field hockey team, follow the Crusaders on Twitter @HCrossFH, on Facebook at Holy Cross Field Hockey, and on Instagram at HolyCrossFieldHockey. You can also subscribe for email alerts for all news and information on the team by clicking here.