Women’s Ice Hockey Drops Front End of Weekend Series at Holy Cross, 2-0
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Franklin Pierce (0-3-0) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
Holy Cross (1-4-0) | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
WORCESTER, Mass. (October 15, 2021) -- One in the second and another in the third was all Holy Cross needed on Friday evening, as the Franklin Pierce University women's ice hockey was shutout for the second straight game. Sophomore Bryn Saarela and senior Bailey Bennett found the net for the host Crusaders, who posted a 2-0 victory in the non-conference contest at Hart Center Rink.
With the loss, Franklin Pierce falls to 0-3-0, while Holy Cross picks up its first win of the season (1-4-0). The two teams will wrap up the home-and-home weekend set at Franklin Pierce on Saturday. Puck drop for the Ravens' home opener is set for 3 p.m. at Jason Ritchie Ice Arena in Winchendon, Mass.
Franklin Pierce was outshot 15-5 in the first period, but managed to escape without surrendering a goal. The Ravens put together a better effort over the final 40 minutes, including outshooting Holy Cross in the third, 13-8, but were unable to find the back of the net.
After a scoreless first period, Holy Cross opened the scoring at the 6:59 mark of the second, with the only goal it would need. After carrying the puck behind the Franklin Pierce net and to the bottom of the left circle, sophomore Mollie Sirum turned and fired a centering pass out front. Her feed found Saarela at the top of the crease, and the latter had the one-time finish for her first goal of the season. Junior Mary Edmonds tacked on an assist on the play as well.
The Crusaders also popped the lone goal of the third period, as Bennett banged home a second-chance opportunity from the bottom of the right circle to chalk up her first goal of the campaign. Senior Carlie Magier and junior Sofia Smithson tacked on the assists at 9:02.
Senior Emme Ostrander (Westborough, Mass.) finished with 36 saves against 38 shots and suffered the loss (0-2-0) in the Franklin Pierce crease. Senior Jada Brenon (1-3-0) stopped all 25 shots at the other end of the ice to notch her third career shutout. Holy Cross enjoyed a 38-25 advantage in shots in the game, largely thanks to the lopsided first period.