NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – The Holy Cross women's ice hockey team couldn't hold off Merrimack, falling to the Warriors by a score of 5-3 on Saturday, Nov. 6 at Lawler Rink.

After Merrimack (3-8-1, 3-4-1) took an early 1-0 lead, Holy Cross (1-10-0, 0-7-0) rallied back in the second to take a 2-1 lead. The Warriors regained the lead quickly in a high-scoring second period, and while the Crusaders cut within a goal, 4-3, midway through the third, Merrimack sealed the win with an empty-netter.

Senior goaltender Jada Brenon made 31 saves for the Crusaders.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Merrimack opened the scoring with a power-play goal at 14:04 of the first.
• Senior left wing Bailey Bennett evened up the score at 6:36 of the second, and junior center Mary Edmonds gave the Crusaders a 2-1 edge less than seven minutes later.
• After Edmonds' goal, Merrimack evened the game just 40 seconds later, making it a 2-2 contest at 13:49 of the second. That was the first of three unanswered goals for the Warriors, who took a 4-2 lead by the 3:59 mark of the third.
• Junior right wing Darci Johal scored at 11:05 of the third to help cut the deficit to one.
• Merrimack secured the win with an empty-netter with under 30 seconds remaining.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:

• Johal has scored three goals in five games; she is now tied with sophomore Millie Sirum for the team lead in goals, with three total on the year.
• Edmonds' goal was her first of the year.

UP NEXT:

• Holy Cross will host Boston University at the Hart Center Rink on Thursday, Nov. 11.
• Puck drop is set for 6 p.m.