WORCESTER, Mass. – The women's ice hockey team picked up its fourth straight win as they defeated Castleton State on Friday night at the Hart Center by a score of 2-0 in ECAC East action.  The Crusaders improve to 13-5-1 overall and 8-2-1 in the ECAC East while the Spartans fall to 11-8-1 on the season and 6-4-1 in the conference.

Both teams came out strong in the opening period.  Holy Cross notched eight shots on goal while Castleton State took seven. It was scoreless at the end of the first period. 

Holy Cross got things started in the second period as senior tri-captain Amanda Gallagher (Park Ridge, Ill.) scored the first goal of the game. It was Gallagher's first goal and fourth point on the season. Freshmen Erin Hall (Pembroke, Mass.) and Rose Rather (Stamford, Conn.) paved the way for the assists. Rather now leads the freshman squad with 13 points on the season. Both teams had power play chances but came short. 

The Crusaders and Spartans played aggressively in the final period. An unassisted goal by sophomore Taylor McGee (Pearl River, N.Y.) scored the second goal of the game to put Holy Cross up 2-0. Castleton State did all that it could to get back into the game. The Spartans had their chances but fell short on the evening as the Crusaders were able to earn their 13th win of the season. Holy Cross outshot Castleton State 9-5 in the final stanza. 

Junior goaltender Krista Manzanares (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.) posted her fifth shutout of the season in the victory. Manzanares now boasts a 7-3-0 mark and finished the night off by making a total of 19 saves between the pipes. Castleton State net minder Paula Stephens had a great performance as she made a total of 22 saves on the night with eight coming in the third period but suffered the loss. 

Holy Cross is back in action on Saturday, Feb. 1 at the Hart Center against New England College in conference action. Game time is slated for 2:00 p.m.