DURHAM, N.H. — The Holy Cross women's ice hockey team fell to New Hampshire, 6-3, on Wednesday night in the opening round of the playoffs. The Crusaders end the year at 7-26-1, (6-22-0 Hockey East), closing the book on a historic season.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The Wildcats jumped on the first score at 4:01 in the first period. Shea Verrier's shot went over the left shoulder of junior goaltender Madison Beck, striking the crossbar and falling into the net.
- The Crusaders received the first power play of the game at 8:24, but were unable to find the equalizer.
- Senior Mary Edmonds won the faceoff in the defensive zone and cleanly got the puck to freshman Lane Lewis who skated the it across the ice, shaking the defenseman on the left side. She made a smooth pass to senior Sofia Smithson, who made the tap-in goal to tie the game at 16:29 in the first period.
- After a series of saves from Beck, UNH found its second goal of the night at 9:00 in the second period.
- Holy Cross had a quick answer as Lewis skated in the puck into the zone, passing it to Edmonds as she was driving to the net. Edmonds' shot was initially blocked by senior goalie Ava Boutilier, but the force drove the puck behind her. Smithson got the final tap on the puck, sending it to the back of the net and giving Holy Cross their second goal at 10:14 in the second.
- Seconds after Smithson's goal, the Crusaders went on the powerplay. Junior Millie Sirum fired a shot from the right side, giving Boutilier no time to react. Sirum was assisted by senior Kailey Langefels.
- New Hampshire tied the game with a tip-in goal with only 15 seconds remaining in the second period.
- The Wildcats received a power play opportunity halfway through the third period and cashed in their fourth goal at 8:29.
- Shortly after their second power play attempt, the Wildcats found another goal, taking a two-goal lead.
- Holy Cross pulled Beck with just over two minutes remaining to take the extra-skater advantage, but New Hampshire found the insurance goal at 18:43 to secure the victory.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
- Beck posted 21 saves, finishing the season with 716.
- Smithson's two goals put her season point total at 16 from five goals and 11 assists.
- Edmonds collected two points, setting the team-high at 18, from 10 goals and eight assists. She owns the most points of any Holy Cross player in the Hockey East era.
- Lewis collected two assists, finishing the year with six points.
- Sirum tallied her final goal of the season, finishing the year with five goals and eight assists.
- Langefels completed her senior season with nine points.
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