THE BASICS 
Score: Holy Cross 3, Stevenson 2
Records:  Holy Cross (9-3-1) ; Stevenson (10-6)
Location: Spartan Arena (Rutland, Vt.) 
Time: 3:00 p.m. 
The Lead: Sophomore Isabela Bagi (Branford, Conn.) scored the game-winning goal with two minutes remaining in regulation to lift Holy Cross to a 3-2 victory over Stevenson Saturday afternoon at the Rutland Herald Invitational. This is the third straight year the Crusaders have captured the Rutland Invitational title. 

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• Holy Cross jumped out to an early 1-0 lead (4:34) on a goal by freshman Lauren Abbenante (Cranston, R.I.) that got past the reach of Stevenson goalie Sarah Modelewski and was assisted by senior Nicole Giannino (Bay Shore, N.Y.). 
• As the clock was winding down in the first, Stevenson's Kellen Wittman netted her first goal of the season, assisted by Madison Lange, to put Stevenson on the board and tie the score 1-1 (17:36). 
• Stevenson earned the first lead of the game five minutes into the second period on Wittman's second goal with the assists credited to Lange and Chelsea Ellis as the Mustangs took the 2-1 lead (17:26).
• The Crusaders did not let the lead get to them as freshman Kara Violette (Biddeford, Maine) scored her eighth goal of the season on an unassisted goal a minute into the Holy Cross power-play, tying the game at 2-2 (17:50). 
• The game entered the final stanza in a 2-2 tie with the Crusaders outshooting the Mustangs 11-7.
• Holy Cross and Stevenson continued to pressure one another, but failed to get the puck between the pipes on either end. Two minutes remaining and the game on the verge of overtime, Bagi netted  the game-winning goal with assists from junior Mackenzie Boardman (Anchorage, Alaska) and Violette at 18:44, putting the Crusaders up 3-2.
• Senior goalie Alexandra Stevenson (Norwood, N.Y) was able to silence the Mustang's sticks, securing the 3-2 victory as the Crusaders improve to 9-3-1. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS 

• Stevenson had 18 saves for the Crusaders, while Modzelewski had 23 saves for the Mustangs. 
• Holy Cross held the advantage in both shots on goal (26-20) and in the face-off circle (26-19). 
• The Crusaders went 1 -3 in power play opportunities as the Mustangs went 0-4. 

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE 

• This is the third straight year where the Crusaders have captured the Rutland Herald Invitational title, as they defeated Castleton 3-2 in last season's championship game. 
• Giannino was named Tournament MVP for the second year in a row. 
• Violette's goal tied her for a team-leading eighth goal of the season. 
• In two games, Boardman tallied a total of five points on three assists and two goals. 

UP NEXT 

• The Crusaders return to the ice on Tuesday, Jan. 13 as they travel to Colby. The puck is set to drop at 7:00 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 @GoHolyCross as 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 at http://www.goholycross.com/list-signup.