WORCESTER, Mass. (February 18, 2017) – Facing an early-afternoon road start less than 16 hours removed from the conclusion of Friday's Senior Night festivities, the offense for the Franklin Pierce University women's ice hockey team came up empty on Saturday at Holy Cross, in the regular-season finale for both squads. The Ravens were outshot 36-14 on the day, as they suffered a 3-0 defeat in New England Hockey Conference play at Hart Recreation Center. Sophomore forward Sam Girard scored the game-winning goal and later added an assist for Holy Cross.

With the loss, Franklin Pierce concludes the regular season at 17-6-1 (12-5-0 NEHC), while Holy Cross improves to 21-4-0 (14-3-0 NEHC). Though the league has yet to announce pairings, the Ravens are expected to host Saint Michael's on Wednesday, Feb. 22, in the first round of the NEHC Open Tournament. Faceoff is tentatively scheduled for 8 p.m. at Jason Ritchie Ice Arena.

Holy Cross scored twice after the midpoint of the first period, taking a lead it would never relinquish. Girard opened the scoring, with the only goal the Crusaders would need, at the 11:44 mark, with a power-play tally. Senior forward Elizabeth Scala provided the lone assist on Girard's 17th of the season. Girard then turned around and set up the 17th of the campaign for junior forward Kara Violette, as Holy Cross made it 2-0 at 15:22.

The Crusaders capped the scoring at the 7:26 mark of the second stanza. It would be sophomore forward Julie Matthias scoring her 13th goal of the year, off an assist from sophomore defenseman Tori Messina, to create the 3-0 final, as the remainder of the second and the entirety of the third went without another goal.

Senior goaltender Shannon O'Neil (Tewksbury, Mass.) finished with 33 saves against 36 shots on goal and suffered the loss (14-5-1) in net for Franklin Pierce. Junior netminder Tessie Salatas (10-3-0) stopped all 14 shots she faced to pick up the win and post her fourth career shutout.

For more information on Franklin Pierce Athletics, please visit the official website of Franklin Pierce Athletics (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu). Also be sure to follow the Ravens through the Department of Athletics' official Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/FranklinPierceRavens), its YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/franklinpiercesports) and its Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/FPUathletics). Fans wishing to purchase Franklin Pierce women's ice hockey apparel can do so at the Department of Athletics' online store (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu/store).