PHOTO GALLERY

WORCESTER, Mass.  –  The University of Hartford men's lacrosse team struggled to get its offense going on Tuesday afternoon as it fell at Holy Cross, 11-2, in non-conference action at Holy Cross Field. The Hawks, who return to action with an America East tilt at Albany on Saturday at 1 p.m., dip to 3-3 on the season. The Crusaders move to 4-4 on the season.

Senior Kevin O'Shea had one goal for the Hawks, as he ended a game-opening 6-0 Holy Cross run with 8:25 left to play in the second quarter after finishing a feed from freshman Trevor O'Brien. Rounding out the scoring was rookie Brendan Gates, who struck with 64 seconds left in the third quarter. Classmate Justin Huggins was credited with the assist.

Kevin Lux paced the Holy Cross attack with four goals and an assist for five points while Sean Wilkinson, who contributed to each of his team's first three scores of the day, tallied four points with two goals and a pair of assists. Michael Ortlieb compiled eight saves between the pipes for the Crusaders while Hawks' goalie Ryan Vanderford turned aside five shots.

THE TURNING POINT:
Holy Cross dominated early in the game and wheeled off five unanswered goals in the first quarter to take a 5-0 edge through the first 15 minutes. Sean Wilkerson, the Crusaders' leading scorer, contributed to each of his team's first three goals to start things off by scoring once and handing out two assists. Hartford would never recover from that game-opening spurt as Holy Cross built its lead to 8-1 before the end of the half and extended its advantage to as many as nine goals before the end of the third.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS: 

·         The Crusaders nipped the Hawks,in shot attempts, 26-24, but put six more of their shots on target (16-10)

·         Hartford committed 22 turnovers on the afternoon, but did force Holy Cross into 19 of its own

·         In four extra-man opportunities, the Hawks were held without a score

·         Holy Cross converted on 1-2 extra-man opportunities

·         For the first time this season, Hartford lost the battle of possession by going 5-of-17 at the X

·         The Hawks were also outnumbered in ground balls as the Crusaders held a 37-24 advantage

·         Freshman goalie Ryan Vanderford recorded five saves in the contest for Hartford while his counterpart, Michael Ortlieb, turned away eight shots 

NEWS AND NOTES: 

·         Dropping the last four meetings, Hartford drops to 13-14 all-time against Holy Cross

·         With a goal against the Crusaders, senior reserve Kevin O'Shea has scored at least one time in all six games this year, and in each of his last 10 contests dating back to last season

·         The loss ended a two-game rally for the Hawks, who were coming off wins over Quinnipiac (10-9 ot) and UMass Lowell (13-5)

·         Holy Cross has scored wins against two ranked opponents this season – then-ranked No. 8 Loyola (13-12) and then-ranked No. 9 Army (7-6) 

UP NEXT:.
The Hawks resume America East Conference play on the road on Saturday when they head to defending league champ Albany for a 1 p.m. opening faceoff. The Great Danes entered this week ranked 13th in the USILA Division I Men's Lacrosse Coaches Poll.