LOWELL, Mass. - A 48th minute Holy Cross penalty stroke was the difference as the La Salle field hockey squad dropped a 1-0 decision to the Crusaders in the season opener for both teams at the UMass Lowell Tournament.

The Crusaders' Kaitlyn Murray sank the penalty stroke to break a scoreless tie.

The stroke spoiled a terrific effort by sophomore goalkeeper Rachel Hartman, who turned away 11 shots in her starting debut while facing 17 shots.

After an even first half which featured six shots apiece by La Salle and Holy Cross, the Crusader offense turned up in the second half to fire off 11 shots while limiting the Explorers to three.

The game also featured the debuts of eight of the nine members of the freshman class, five of whom earned the start in their collegiate debuts including Eileen Dzwill, Jess Hoffman, Sophie Lozowski, Katie O'Grady and Julia Sproch. Kendall Kreider, April Stein and Summer Pierson also debuted today.

Kat Matchett started in goal for Holy Cross, stopping five shots. The Explorers took seven penalty corners to the Crusaders' five.

The squad returns to action tomorrow with a contest against host UMass Lowell at 2 p.m.