AMHERST, Mass. – Junior Jolie Creo scored a game-high four goals, but the Holy Cross women's lacrosse team was defeated by Massachusetts 19-8 at Garber Field. The Crusaders fall to 2-2 on the season with the loss, while the Minutewomen improve to 4-2 overall.

The game was close for the majority of the first half, with UMass holding a narrow 6-4 lead with five minutes left before the break. The Minutewomen then netted four straight goals to claim a 10-4 halftime advantage.

Creo and senior Catherine Guanci both scored goals early in the second half to bring Holy Cross back to within four (10-6) with 24:26 left to play. The margin was still four (11-7) with 19 minutes remaining, before UMass ran off seven straight goals to put the game away. 

Guanci recorded her first hat trick of the season, finishing the day with three goals, while junior Grace Flink totaled a season-best 17 saves on the afternoon. The Minutewomen were led by Haley Connaughton with three goals and three assists.

Holy Cross will return to action on Saturday, March 27, when it travels to Boston University for a 12:00 p.m. game.