WORCESTER, Mass.- The Holy Cross women's ice hockey team host New Hampshire on Friday, Jan. 31, and Maine on Saturday, Feb. 1. The Crusaders will hold their faculty and staff appreciation and Morgan's Message game at 5 p.m. on Friday and return on Saturday at 1 p.m. for their Senior Day and Pink The Rink game in the Hart Center Rink. Both games will be broadcast on ESPN+. 

THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT HOLY CROSS (7-15-3, 3-13-3 Hockey East): 

• The Crusaders were recently shut out by No. 15 Boston University in both games to conclude the regular season series. Holy Cross fell 2-0 in game one on Jan. 24 and 3-0 in game two on Jan. 25.
• In game one, the Terriers scored at 4:26 in the first period and 17:54 in the second period.
• Neither team scored in the third period for No. 15 Boston University to earn the 2-0 win.
• In game two, the Terriers scored twice late in the opening frame at 15:18 (PP) and 17:32.
• In the second period, No. 15 Boston University extended their lead on the power-play at 11:24 and came out with the 3-0 win after a scoreless final period.
• Sophomore assistant captain Emily Crovo is currently Holy Cross's leading in every offensive category. She has scored six goals on the year, three of which were on the power-play, and had 10 assists for 16 points. Senior captain Emma Min leads the Holy Cross defense with 64 blocks so far this season, 34 more than the closest Crusader. Min is currently tied for sixth in the nation in blocks.
• Junior goalie Abby Hornung started between the Crusaders' pipes in game one of the series making 17 saves. She now owns a 2.01 goals against with a .936 save percentage. Hornung is currently tied for ninth in the nation for her save percentage. Junior assistant captain Brooke Loranger returned in net for Holy Cross for the season series finale. She made a season-high 34 saves for a now 2.53 goals against average and .913 save percentage.

WATCHING THE WILDCATS (12-13-1, 8-11-0 Hockey East):

• Most recently the Wildcats were swept by Maine over the weekend falling in game one 2-1 on Jan 24 and 4-3 in game two on Jan. 25.
• In game one, the Wildcats got things started with a goal netted by sophomore forward Julia Cabral assisted by sophomore defender Lucie Lefro and graduate forward Sara Boucher at 2:22 in the opening frame. The Black Bears quickly responded with the equalizer at 7:41.
• After a scoreless second period, Maine put in the game-winner at 1:12 in the third for the 2-1 victory. 
• In game two, Maine kicked things off with an early goal 2:04 in the first period. The Wildcats' senior forward Brooke Hammer followed that up with the equalizer at 5:02 with help from senior assistant captain Shea Verrier and Boucher. Junior forward Alyson Hush stole the lead on the power-play at 9:39. Verrier and graduate defender Andi Calderone earned the assists. The Black Bear answered with their own power-play goal to tie the game 2-2 at 13:15. Maine reclaimed the lead 43 seconds later to end the opening period.
• Sophomore defender Sadie Makokis opened the second period converting on the power-play to once again tie the game 3-3 at 3:4. She was assisted by Boucher and graduate forward Chavonne Truter. Late in the period, the Black Bears netted the game-winner at 17:24.
• Neither team scored in the third period with Maine taking the 4-3 win in regulation.
• Senior captain Kira Juodikis is New Hampshire's leading score with nine goals so far this year. Truter and Verrier currently lead the Wildcats with 10 assists each on the season. Verrier has tallied the most points with 15. Calderone drives the defense for New Hampshire with 44 blocks and counting.
• Sophomore goalie Sedona Blair was in net for both games on the weekend making 24 saves in game one and 35 saves in game two against the Black Bears for a current 2.21 goals-against average and .926 save percentage.

BACKGROUND ON THE BLACK BEARS (8-18-1, 7-12-1 Hockey East):

• The Black Bears ended the 2023-24 campaign with a 15-18-2 overall record and an 11-14-2 conference record. Maine concluded the season in the first round of the Hockey East tournament falling in overtime to #9-seeded Merrimack 2-1 on Feb. 28. 
• Ahead of the 2024-25 season, Maine was tabbed to finish eighth in Hockey East according to the Preseason Coaches Poll. The Black Bears return 17 varsity letterwinners, four players who earned double-digits in points last season and a Hockey East Rookie of the Month (sophomore forward Sam Morrison, February). Maine welcomes 11 new Black Bears, nine freshmen and two transfers to complete their roster for the year.
• Most recently the Black Bears swept New Hampshire over the weekend falling in game one 2-1 on Jan 24 and 4-3 in game two on Jan. 25.
• In game one, the Wildcats got things started with a goal at 2:22 in the opening frame. The Black Bears quickly responded with the equalizer scored by senior forward Mira Seregély at 7:41 assisted by graduate defender Elise Morphy.
• After a scoreless second period, sophomore forward Lily Fetch put in the game-winner at 1:12 in the third for the 2-1 victory. Junior forward Danielle Brunette and senior defender Courtney Colarullo were credited with the assists.
• In game two, Maine kicked things off with a solo goal by sophomore forward Haley Ryan at 2:04 in the first period. The Wildcats followed that up with the equalizer at 5:02 and stole the lead on the power-play at 9:39. Senior defender Adriana Va De Leest converted on the power-play to tie the game 2-2 at 13:15 with help from freshman forward Stephanie Jacob and Seregély. The Black Bears reclaimed the lead with sophomore forward Raegan Wurm scoring 43 seconds later to end the opening period. She was assisted by sophomore forward Lila Shea.
• In the second period, New Hampshire converted on the power-play to once again tie the game at 3:41 for the 3-3 result. Late in the period, sophomore forward Mikayla Boarder netted the game-winner at 17:24 with Morrison and senior defender Jamie Grinder assisting her.
• Neither team scored in the third period with Maine taking the 4-3 win in regulation.
• Fetch is Maine's leading scorer with seven goals so far this year. She also holds the most points of any of her teammates with 13. Morrison currently leads the Black Bears with eight assists on the season. Grinder has made 36 blocks on the year, the most on the team.
• Sophomore goalie Julia Bachetti was in net for both games on the weekend making 19 saves in game one and 31 saves in game two for two wins against the Wildcats. She owns a current 2.96 goals-against average and .903 save percentage. Bachetti was named Hockey East Stop It Goaltending Goaltender of the Week for her efforts in the series (Jan. 27).

LAST TIME THEY MET:

• Holy Cross and New Hampshire met earlier this season. The Crusaders last traveled to Durham, N.H., and fell to the Wildcats 2-0 on Nov. 16.
• The Crusaders and Maine met last season, and Holy Cross lost the final game of the season series on Feb. 24, 5-2. 
• Holy Cross holds a 1-21-0 all-time and 1-20-0 conference series record against the Wildcats.
• The Crusaders hold a 3-13-3 all-time and conference series record against the Black Bears.

Be the Power of Purple and celebrate Holy Cross' 10th Giving Day on February 7 & 8 — because when you make a gift, you make an impact!

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