Box Score LOWELL, Mass. – It took 43:47 before Longwood finally broke through on a Jennifer Burris goal to defeat Holy Cross 1-0 in the season opener Saturday at Cushing Field.

"It was a good start to the season," said head coach Iain Byers. "The game was pretty even and we probably could have had a couple more goals. All in all I was really proud of how we played and we showed all the work we put in during preseason."

Longwood controlled play early in the first half as Edel Nyland tallied Longwood's first shot 3:08 into the period. Just 21 seconds later Burris fired a shot wide as the Lancers narrowly missed an early goal. The Lancers continued to pour on the pressure as Burris launched a shot at the 8:27 mark which was blocked by the Crusaders. Longwood finally placed a shot on goal in the 10th minute as Nyland's attempt was saved by Holy Cross keeper Kat Matchett. The Lancers continued to dominate the game flow as at the half the blue and white held a 7-2 shot advantage, but the game was still scoreless.

The second half saw Longwood continue the offensive onslaught as the Lancers fired three shots in the first five minutes of the period. Longwood finally broke the scoreless deadlock at 43:47 when junior Jen Burris slotted home a rebound for her first goal of the season. Burris was able to corral the rebound off a Kat Matchett save and place it low in the left corner for the game winner.

"[Meghan] O'Connor made a great play driving up the side and firing one into the circle," said Burris. "I was just in the right place to pick up the rebound and score."

The Lancers continued to press looking for insurance as Longwood would tally 10 shots in the second half, but could find only the lone goal. The single mark was enough as Longwood was able to withstand a late Holy Cross surge including a 68th minute penalty corner to capture the victory.

Longwood sophomore Lauren Bernard went the distance in goal for the Lancers, making one save to record the shutout. Kat Matchett made five saves for Holy Cross en route to the 1-0 defeat.  

Jennifer Burris fired off six shots, placing two on goal including the only tally while freshman Edel Nyland and Abbey Ripley recorded eight and three shots, respectively.

Longwood (1-0) will take on UMass Lowell tomorrow at 1 p.m. to conclude the two-day tournament at Cushing Field.