PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Holy Cross women's ice hockey team fell in the opening round of the Hockey East Tournament as Providence pulled away to earn a 3-1 victory on Wednesday, Feb. 23. 

The 10^th-seeded Crusaders (3-30) took an early lead off a goal from senior captain Carlie Magier before Providence tied things up in the second and added two third-period goals. Senior goaltender Jada Brenon tallied 42 saves to pace Holy Cross.

Hunter Barnett had three assists to lead seventh-seeded Providence (16-13-6).

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Magier scored at 9:31 of the first period to make it a 1-0 game in favor of the Crusaders.
• Brenon held off a flurry of Providence chances throughout the opening two frames, but just 2:35 into the second, Caroline Peterson scored to even things up at one goal apiece.
• The Friars took a 2-1 lead at 3:31 of the third period off a goal from Ashley Clark.
• Holy Cross outshot the Friars 13-10 in the closing period, but were unable to notch another goal.
• Providence secured the 3-1 win with an empty-netter with 1:33 to go in regulation.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:

• Magier's goal was the first Hockey East playoff goal in program history.
• Magier finishes her Holy Cross career with 17 goals, the most by a Crusader in the Hockey East era.  
• Brenon ends her Holy Cross career with 3,078 career saves, the most in program history by a margin of 685 saves.