BURLINGTON, Vt. — The Holy Cross women's ice hockey team fell short to No. 11 Vermont, 3-1, on Friday night. The Crusaders move to 4-20-1, (3-16-0 Hockey East) while the Catamounts move to 17-8-1 overall and 12-6-1 in conference play. 

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Vermont started strong by maintaining long possessions and disrupting any Holy Cross pursuit. Halfway through the first period, the Catamounts outshot the Crusaders 8-2.
• Vermont sophomore Evelyne Blais-Savoie notched the first goal of the night at 7:43 in the first period to give the Catamounts an early lead. 

• The Crusaders began creating more opportunities in their offensive zone after the goal. On defense, they forced turnovers, allowing for a few breakaways. The Crusader defensive front led in blocked shots, 12-1, after the first period
• The teams settled into the game as the second period progressed. Each squad received a power play but both finished without a goal.
• The Catamounts got their third power play of night at 17:26 in the second. Just as time expired, Corinne McCool slipped the puck by freshman goaltender Brooke Loranger, putting Vermont up, 2-0, heading into the third period.
• Senior Mary Edmonds cut Vermont's lead in half with a rebound goal at 10:03 in the third period. She was assisted by senior Sofia Smithson and freshman Lane Lewis.
• The Crusaders pulled Loranger off the ice at 17:54 in the third. After Vermont intercepted a pass, sophomore Emilie Fortunato took a penalty to prevent an empty net goal with 28 seconds remaining in the third period. The Catamounts posted a power play goal with 17 seconds to go in regulation to close a 3-1 victory. 

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:

• Edmonds tallied her eighth goal of the season, marking a career season-high in goals and points (12). She leads the team in both categories. She has tallied seven points in her last seven games. 
• Smithson appeared in her 100th career game, posting her fifth assist of the season.
• Lewis now owns three assists on the year. 
• The Holy Cross penalty kill unit continues to disrupt their opponent's advantage. In their last six contests, the Crusaders have killed 15 of 17 power play attempts, including four of the five efforts by Vermont.
• Loranger posted 38 saves, adding to her season total (237). She owns a 3.29 goals-against average with a save percentage of .901 after nine games.
• The Crusaders' defense blocked 24 shots. Junior Vaia Graves, senior Kailey Langefels and sophomore Carmen Elliott led the team with three apiece. Vermont managed 7 blocks on the night. 
• Shots on goal fell in favor of Vermont, 41-19.

UP NEXT: 

• Holy Cross resumes play on Jan. 21 when they face the Merrimack Warriors. The Crusaders will travel to North Andover, Mass. for a 4 p.m. puck drop.

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