WORCESTER, Mass. – Sophomore forward Chelsea Monahan (Cherry Hill, N.J.) scored two goals in the third period as thirteen different Crusaders recorded points in a 6-1 victory over visiting Nichols at the Hart Center on Saturday evening. Holy Cross improves to 4-2-1 (3-2-1 ECAC East) while Nichols falls to 2-4-0 (0-4-0 ECAC East).
Nichols got on the board first just 1:03 into the game when sophomore Grace Murphy corralled her own rebound and netted her team high sixth goal of the season. The Crusaders responded with 5:34 remaining in the first frame as freshman Kati Goguen (Acton, Mass.) scored her second career goal off assists from sophomores Kate Reilly (Natick, Mass.) and Francesca Panarelli (Shrewsbury, Mass.). It was the first career helper for Reilly and a team-high sixth of the season for Panarelli. Just over one minute later, senior Alex Campione (Townsend, Mass.) tallied her second goal in as many games off passes by sophomores Mary Klimasewiski (Cochester, Conn.) and Nicole Giannino (Bay Shore, N.Y.). The Crusaders took a 2-1 lead into the locker room after one period of play.
Holy Cross continued its offensive attack in the second period. Senior Rebecca O'Quinn (Arlington, Mass.) deflected the puck in front of Bison goaltender Nia Kelly for her team-high fourth goal of the season. Freshman Megan Meskill (Minneapolis, Minn.) sent the puck towards to crease from the blue line for her first career assist. Senior Caroline English (Dorchester, Mass.) was also credited with an assist on the goal. Monahan then received a pass just 1:16 later from junior Amanda Gallagher (Park Ridge, Ill.) for her first goal of the game. Sophomore Jessica Frascotti (Needham, Mass.) also assisted on the play to make the score 4-1 after two periods.
Monahan netted her second of the game and third goal of the season just 4:32 into the third period off a pass from fellow classmate Rebecca Fleming (Newton, Mass.) to move the score to 5-1. Just under two minutes later, Panarelli scored the lone power play goal of the game with an assist by Goguen to bring the final score to 6-1. Ten penalties were called in the game, including eight in the third period.
Holy Cross outshot the Bison 31-19 overall. Sophomore goaltender Alexandra Stevenson (Norwood, N.Y.) recorded her first win of the season and moves to 1-1-1, making 18 saves in the process. Kelly took the loss for Nichols, making 25 saves. Monahan and Reilly led the Crusaders with a plus-three rating in the game.
The Crusaders will return to action on Sunday, Nov. 25, at home versus Wesleyan at 2:00 p.m.
