WORCESTER, Mass. – The Holy Cross women's hockey team will kick off 2021 with two games at Vermont. The Crusaders will take on the Catamounts on Friday, Jan. 1 at 6 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 2 at 2 p.m. in Burlington.
Both games will be available to stream for free at collegesportslive.com.
Talking Points:
- The Crusaders are coming off their first victory over New Hampshire in program history, a 5-2 win on Wednesday night.
- It was also the first time Holy Cross has scored five goals in a game since upsetting then-No. 5 Northeastern 5-3 back in the 2018-19 season, the program's first as a member of Hockey East.
- The freshman duo of Millie Sirum and Bryn Saarela had an excellent game, combining for six points. Sirum scored twice and had one assist, while Saarela collected two helpers and one goal.
- The other two goals were scored by sophomore Carly Beniek and freshman Lilly Feeney, the first of her collegiate career.
- Emma Lange had three assists on the night, while Mary Edmonds, Sofia Smithson, and Antonia Matzka all registered one each.
- Jada Brenon made a season-high 49 saves in the contest, posting a .961 save percentage on the night. It brings her season average up to a career-best .917. Her 2.50 goals against average is also a new best mark for the junior netminder.
- Saarela leads the team on the year with eight points from four goals and four assists. Sirum is right behind at seven from three goals and four assists. Lange leads all defenders with one goal and four assists for five points.
- Saarela's eight points are good for sixth in all of Hockey East and second among freshmen. Sirum's seven are eighth in the league and tied for third among first-year players.
- Sirum's 1.17 points per game are tied for third in the league and tied for first among freshmen with Boston College's Gaby Roy. Roy and Sirum are tied for second among freshmen in the nation.
- Against the Wildcats, the Crusaders went 3-for-3 on the power play, bringing their season percentage up to 14.3%. They were also 6-for-7 on the penalty kill, bringing that season mark up to an even 80%.
Scouting Vermont:
- Vermont is only two games into its 2020-21 season, having opened the campaigned on Dec. 19 and 20 with a split with New Hampshire. The Catamounts claimed the first game, 4-2, before being shutout in the second, 2-0.
- Val Caldwell and Lily Humphrey share the team lead of three points on the young season. Caldwell has one goal and two assists, while Humphrey has recorded three helpers.
- Natalie Ferenc has played both games in net for the Catamounts and posted a .909 save percentage and a 2.03 goals against average.
- Vermont is still looking for that first power play goal of the year, having not been successful on its first 10 attempts. On the flip side, they have also not given one up as the Catamounts have killed all seven of the penalties they have faced.
Last Year:
