WORCESTER, Mass. — The Holy Cross women's ice hockey took on Maine for game one of two in a Hockey East regular season finale. The Crusaders fell in close 3-2 overtime loss to the Black Bears.

The Crusaders fired the first shot with a power-play goal scored by sophomore forward Charlotte Sonntag at 9:36 in the opening frame on her own. With five minutes left in the first period Maine notched a goal to set the game at 1-1. Holy Cross entered the second period with a goal by sophomore forward Alexia Moreau at 6:09 assisted by forwards sophomore Lane Lewis and senior Bryn Saarela. The Black Bears answered with the equalizer with less than two minutes left in the second. After a scoreless third period, the competition was forced into overtime where Maine netted the game winner just 36 seconds into OT for the 3-2 win.

Sophomore goalie Abby Hornung made her first collegiate start in net for the Crusaders making a total of 41 saves in the outing, a career high.

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

• Holy Cross scored at 9:36 in the first period with an unassisted power-play goal by Sonntag. Maine equalized at 15:51 on the power-play to end the first 1-1.
• The Crusaders reclaimed the lead with a goal by Moreau at 6:09. The Black Bears replied scoring at 18:47 to make it a 2-2 game.
• Neither team scored in the third period sending the game into overtime.
• Maine won the game 3-2 with a goal at 0:36 in OT.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:

• Hornung made her first career start between the pipes for the Crusaders with a season and career high number of saves, 41.

UP NEXT: 

• Holy Cross will conclude the 2023-24 regular season with the final match up against Maine on Saturday, Feb.24. Puck drop is set for at 4:00 p.m. for alumni day and Stacey Hochkins '12 jersey retirement in the Hart Center Rink at the Luth Athletic Complex.

FOLLOW THE CRUSADERS 
Be sure to follow the Holy Cross women's ice hockey team — and all things Crusader Athletics — on social media!
Twitter - @HCrossWHockey | @goholycross
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