THE BASICS
Score: Holy Cross 5, Sacred Heart 4
Records: Holy Cross (1-0-0, 0-0-0 ECAC); Sacred Heart (0-1-0)
Location: Worcester, Mass. (Hart Center) 
The Lead: Junior assistant captain Kate Reilly (Natick, Mass.), senior captain Francesca Panarelli (Shrewsbury, Mass.), senior Nicole Giannino (Bay Shore, N.Y.), senior Rachel Miller (Jackson, Mich.) and freshman Kara Violette (Biddeford, Maine) all scored for the Crusaders as Holy Cross defeated Sacred Heart 5-4 in the opening game of the 2014-2015 season at the Hart Center in non-conference women's hockey action. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• With the clock winding down in the first period, Sacred Heart jumped out to the early 1-0 lead (19:25). Natasha Klinoff passed to Alanna Woodford behind the goal and found Casey Stathopolous open as she shot the puck from the middle past the reach of senior goalie Alexandra Stevenson (Norwood, N.Y.).
• Panarelli centered a pass to Reilly and launched it past the reach of Sacred Heart goalie Amanda Fontaine several minutes into the second period (3:37) to even the score at 1-1. 
• The Crusaders took advantage of a Sacred Heart power play as Violette stole the puck from a Pioneer defender coming up the right side and skated across the front and found the back of net for the goal giving the Crusaders the 2-1 lead (5:56) in the second period. 
• At 11:21, Julie Dobiac brought the puck up and launched a wrist shot that went through the legs of Stevenson to even the score at 2-2. 
• With five minutes left in the second and the Crusaders with the four on three advantage, Violette redirected a rebound off the goalie to junior captain Taylor McGee (Pearl River, N.Y.). McGee found Giannino open and tucked the puck into the right side of the net giving Holy Cross the 3-2 lead (15:17). 
• The third period opened with Sacred Heart scoring 16 seconds in with Klinoff scoring off the faceoff with assists from Woodford and Alex Davis, tying the game once again at 3-3. 
• The Crusaders answered at 6:51 as they kept the pressure on Sacred Heart, taking the 4-3 lead on a goal by Miller with assists by Giannino and freshman Lauren Abbenante (Cranston, R.I.). 
• Holy Cross took a two-goal lead with just over 11 minutes left in the third period when Violette saw Panarelli open to her left side, sending a wrist shot into the back of the net to give the Crusaders the 5-3 advantage. 
• Sacred Heart struck one last time on an unassisted power play goal at 19:29 by Woodford as the score brought the Pioneers within one at 5-4. 
• With one second left, Stevenson fended off one last shot as the game ended with the Crusaders taking the 5-4 win. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Stevenson had 14 saves for the Crusaders, while Fontaine had 36 saves for the Pioneers. Holy Cross held the advantage in shots on goal (41-18).

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE

• Violette's goal and two assists were the first of her career. 
• Holy Cross now leads the series 17-12-1 all-time versus Sacred Heart with an eight-game winning streak. 

UP NEXT 

• The Crusaders return to the ice on Saturday, Nov. 1 as they host Sacred Heart at 2:05 p.m. 

KEEP CONNECTED  

• There are numerous ways you can stay connected with the Holy Cross women's hockey team. Follow Holy Cross Athletics on Twitter @GoHolyCrossas well as the women's hockey team @HCrossWHockey and on Facebook. 
• You can also get all the latest news and results on the Holy Cross women's hockey team sent directly to your e-mail athttp://www.goholycross.com/list-signup.