THE BASICS:

Score: Holy Cross 2, #8 Connecticut College 0
Records: Holy Cross (9-2-0, 5-1-0 NEHC); No. 8 Connecticut College (4-2-0, 3-1-0 NESCAC)
Location: Worcester, Mass. (Hart Center at the Luth Athletic Complex)
Date: Tuesday, December 6, 2016
Time: 7:05 p.m.
The Lead: Freshman goaltender Marcia LaPlante made 29 saves to earn her first career shutout, as the Holy Cross women's ice hockey team took down No. 8 Connecticut College, 2-0, in non-conference action on Tuesday night. The Crusaders remain undefeated at the Hart Center at the Luth Athletic Complex this season with a 6-0-0 mark.  

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• With back and forth action in the fast-paced first period, the Crusaders jumped out to an early 2-0 lead and refused to look back from there. Sophomore forward Maeve Reilly handled the puck past two defenders before releasing a stick side wrist shot to the back of the net, giving Holy Cross a 1-0 lead 1:34 into the game.
• Next at the 16:26 mark, sophomore forward Julie Matthias batted in a rebound, just outside the crease off a shot fired by freshman defender Hannah Gillis from the blue line, as the Crusaders stretched out to a two-goal lead.
• The Camels outshot Holy Cross 8-7, as Connecticut College went 0-for-1 on the only first period power play.
• Holy Cross held onto its 2-0 lead through the second period, as the Crusaders fended off three more power plays from the Camels.
• Connecticut College was on its second power play of the period with 6:50 left on the clock. As the Camels bombarded the net with shots, LaPlante made four consecutive saves on a series of rebounded shots from the lower slot to prevent a score.
• The Camels led 9-7 in shots in the second period, as they went 0-for-3 on the only three power plays during this frame.
• The Crusaders' penalty kill remained perfect through the third period, as Holy Cross fought-off Connecticut College's final three power plays of the game.
• The Camels outshot the Crusaders, 12-6, but Holy Cross held onto the 2-0 victory to remain undefeated at home with a 6-0-0 mark.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Matthias led the Crusaders with two points consisting of one goal and one assist.
• LaPlante made 29 saves to post her first career shutout as well as her second career victory. She holds a .978 save percentage for a 2-0-0 record this season.
• Bailey Mertz made 18 stops and allowed two goals to take the loss for Connecticut College.  
• The Camels outshot the Crusaders, 29-20.
• Holy Cross went 0-for-3 on the power play, while Connecticut College went 0-for-7.

 BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:

• Matthias has tallied at least one goal in five straight games. She has 12 points this season consisting of eight goals and four assists.
• Reilly has scored at least one point in four consecutive games. She has four goals and three assists for seven points this year.
• Holy Cross is undefeated at home this season with a 6-0-0 record at the Hart Center at the Luth Athletic Complex.
• Holy Cross is 2-1 against NESCAC opponents this year. The Crusaders are 35-38-8 all-time when facing NESCAC foes.
• The Crusaders have now defeated the Camels in two consecutive years.

UP NEXT:

• Holy Cross returns to action this weekend when the Crusaders head to Waterville, Maine to face Colby in non-conference action on Saturday, December 10 at 3:00 p.m.

KEEP CONNECTED:

• Follow the Crusaders on Twitter @HCrossWHockey and on Facebook. You can also get the latest news and results on the team sent directly to your e-mail. To sign up for e-mail alerts go here.

Consider making a gift to support the women's ice hockey program through the Crusader Athletics Fund before the end of the calendar year. Click here to give.