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LOWELL, Mass. - The UMass Lowell field hockey team (2-1) fell in heartbreaking fashion, 3-2, on a last-minute goal by in-state opponent Holy Cross (2-1) on Friday evening at Wicked Blue Field in Lowell, Mass.
 
"We are disappointed with our offensive effort tonight," said Head Coach Shannon Hlebichuk. "I felt that we did a tremendous job in the midfield to produce a lot of opportunities, but our forwards just weren't on tonight, and their synergy and energy just weren't where we needed them to be. Holy Cross was a tough opponent and they came to win this game. We are going to work a lot with our offense before Sunday's game, encouraging them to be a little more  hungry inside the circle."
 
UMass Lowell outshot Holy Cross, 17-12, in the outing and forced seven corners compared to six for the Crusaders. Sophomore Georgia Cowderoy (Ashmore, Queensland, Australia) paced the River Hawks with one goal and one assist for three points.
 
The home squad did not waste any time putting pressure on the visitor's backfield in the early part of the contest, earning a pair of corners in the first five minutes and taking two shots on goal that were kicked away by the Crusaders' keeper.
 
Holy Cross would rattle off five shots in a span of four minutes, resulting in the first goal of the game that was deflected in off the post by Katy Cronin. The River Hawks were quick to answer, though, when Cowderoy fired a backhand shot high above the goalkeeper's outstretched stick to knot the score at 1-1 with just over 14 minutes remaining the first half. However, the stalemate lasted only a minute, as the Crusaders pulled ahead once again on a breakaway by Maureen Connelly.
 
UMass Lowell continued to fight through the waning minutes of the period. With just 30 seconds left to play, Cowderoy picked up the ball in a scramble in front of the cage and threaded a pass to sophomore Kristin Aveni (Westminster, Mass.) on the post for the tip-in, sending the teams into the break tied at 2-2.
 
The Crusaders tallied three shots in the first 13 minutes of the second half before senior Bianca Jones (Watertown, Mass.) and Cowderoy registered back-to-back chances to regain the momentum for the River Hawks. UMass Lowell followed with three corners in two minutes, threatening to take a late lead, but the squad was unable to capitalize.
 
The game-changer came with less than a minute and a half still to go, as Holy Cross was issued a corner opportunity. During the play, Kaitlyn Murray stopped the ball at the top of the circle before sending a hard shot into the back of the cage to seal the 3-2 decision.
 
Friday's contest marked the 17th meeting between UMass Lowell and Holy Cross in the sport of field hockey. Holy Cross now holds a 13-4 advantage in the all-time series. The River Hawks will remain at home this weekend, as the team is set to host Brown University of the Ivy League on Sunday, September 7 beginning at 12 p.m.