Box Score PDF

LOWELL, Mass. –  UMass Lowell women's soccer turned in a gritty hard working performance but still came  up empty handed in a 2-0 loss to Holy Cross in a non-conference match, Wednesday evening at the Cushing Field Complex.

"I thought the kids played hard, the effort and the performance were very, very good," said Head Coach Joel Bancroft.  "But ultimately we're in the results business and we were looking to get a win tonight, so it's disappointing."

The loss was the fifth in a row for the River Hawks whose record drops to 2-6-0.  Holy Cross improves to 8-0-1.  The Crusaders are 4-0-0 in games against America East Conference teams.

For the home team it was the fourth consecutive loss by shutout.  The scoreless streak has extended to more than 430-minutes.  "It's the story of our final ball," said Bancroft.  "If you can't put the ball in the net, if you let a team hang around, you will eventually pay for your sins."

Despite the scoring drought, the coach remains upbeat and positive.

"I'd be worried if our tactics didn't create opportunities," said Bancroft, "but we're getting the opportunities.  We built this team from the back forward and we can defend with anyone.  We're stingy on the back line, now we just have to put a few in their net."

UMass Lowell appeared to have the edge in time of possession but it was in the offensive third of the field where the River Hawks found passes eluding teammates and shots either going wide or finding the goalkeepers mid section.

"We put too many balls into the goalkeeper's hands," said Bancroft.  "We made it far too easy for them in their third of the field."

UMass Lowell dictated the pace of play for much of the game and especially in the first half, but was unable to create a Grade A scoring opportunity from in close and it was the visitors who struck first.  Freshman Aly Spencer broke the stalemate, in the 32nd minute, with a right foot drive over the reach of the goalkeeper and just under the crossbar from 20 yards out.  It was Spencer's seventh goal of the season.  The assist went to freshman Sheridan Nulty whose crossing pass had created the opportunity.

Down by a goal at the half, the River Hawks looked to get the equalizer but they were frustrated by a Holy Cross team that appeared to step up its intensity in the second half.  The Crusaders added an insurance goal in the 75th minute when freshman Christina Callahan won a race to a lead pass and popped it over the keeper's head and into the net.  

Holy Cross had a shooting edge in the contest, 12-6 overall and 8-3 on target.  UMass Lowell Senior goalkeeper Jill Carlson (Lexington, Mass.) had six saves; senior Carly McCabe had three saves for the visitors.  The River Hawks had a 5-2 edge in corner kicks.

The River Hawks will return to the Cushing Field Complex Sunday afternoon, September 21st at 1 P.M., for the second of three straight games at home when they host St. Bonaventure.