BOSTON– Holy Cross fell short by one goal against UMass-Boston by a score of 3-2 from the Clark Athletic Center Ice Arena today. The Crusaders stand at 15-7-1 overall and 9-4-1 in ECAC East action. With the win the Beacons improve to 10-9-4 on the year 6-7-1 in conference play.
Junior Nicole Giannino (Bay Shore, N.Y) scored her 10th goal of the season as Holy Cross got on the board first, 9:07 into the first period. Freshman Izzy Bagi (Branford, Conn.) and junior Rachel Miller (Jackson, Mich.) paved the way with the assists. The Crusaders held a slight edge on shots taken in the first stanza with 10 while the Beacons posted nine. Through one period of action Holy Cross held a 1-0 lead.
The offense for UMass-Boston came out strong in the beginning of the second period. The Beacons were able to capitalize on their second power play opportunity of the game as Alyssa Sullivan notched the first goal for the Beacons and tied the game up, 1-1, 6:53 into the second. Senior Tori Pizzuto earned the assist, her eighth of the season. The leading scorer for UMass-Boston, Samantha Fallon, scored her 14th goal of the season 17:43 into the second period to give them a 2-1 lead as Alexandra Karlis garnered the assist.
The Beacons got off to a great start in the final period. Junior Emily Russell scored the third and final goal for UMass-Boston at 2:42 in the third. The assist came by way of senior forward Courtney White. The Crusaders kicked the offense into high gear late into the final period. Holy Cross pulled their goalie in favor of an extra attacker and with just 0:46 left in the game junior Mary Klimasewiski (Cochester, Conn.) tallied a goal as Holy Cross to cut the deficit to 3-2. Despite the final push, UMass-Boston was able to come away with the win.
Both junior goaltenders for Holy Cross saw action between the pipes. Alexandra Stevenson (Norwood, N.Y.) suffered the loss (8-3-1) while making 13 saves and allowing two goals in 27 minutes of action. Krista Manzanares (Ranco Santa Margarita, Calif.) came in in relief and made 15 saves as she allowed one goal in 32 minutes of play. The Beacons' junior net minder Moe Bradley for UMass-Boston earned the win (5-2-4) as she made 35 saves in the game.
Holy Cross returns to the ice on Friday, Feb. 14 versus Nichols at the Hart Center for a 7:00 p.m. puck drop.
