For the first time in program history, the two time defending Northeast Conference champion Sacred Heart women's cross country team opened its season by taking home a title at the first meet of the season. With 45 points, the Pioneers held off both the host, Stony Brook, and UMass Lowell, who finished with 52 and 53 points, respectively, at the Stony Brook Invitational on Saturday. SHU was bolstered by its top five runners placing in the top 13 of the 77-competitor field. The next closest team, UMass Lowell, had its top five runners finish in the top twenty.