BOSTON, Mass. - The Holy Cross women's ice hockey team traveled to Boston University (BU) for the first of two games on the weekend. An early lead for the Terriers was short lived with the Crusaders netting two goals in the second period to take home the 2-1 victory. Crusaders nodded the season series up 1-1 with a chance to win the Turnpike Trophy tomorrow night at 7pm in the Hart Center.
The Terriers scored within five minutes of the opening period. The goal went unanswered until midway through the second period with an equalizing goal by sophomore forward Alexia Moreau. The assist was credited to senior forward Bryn Saarela who scored to take the lead for the Crusaders six minutes later. Holy Cross held on to the final horn to take the 2-1 win over BU.
"This win means a lot for us just moving forward into the last half of our year," said Saarela. "I think a lot of people stepped up today and put in some big goals against a very competitive team. We just have to get ready for tomorrow."
Sophomore goalie Brooke Loranger was between the pipes earning her first career Hockey East win. Loranger made a total of 28 saves in the outing.
"We've been working hard as a team on and off the ice for a couple weeks now and tonight it finally paid off," said Loranger. " We got the bounces we needed and got a lot of small victories as a team. Now it's time to continue this momentum into tomorrow and the last bit of the season."
"Just a really gritty game for us today. We did all the little things right that we have to, the compete factor was there consistently every shift. The girls did a good job of taking it one shift at a time,"said head coach Katie Lachapelle. "I thought in particular, our defense played very well just being really solid back there. Offensively, I thought we got contributions from everybody. We did a really good job just taking care of the defensive side of the game first. And Brooke Loranger had an outstanding game. Really proud of her."
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- BU scored at 5:00 in the first period
- The Crusaders scored at 10:08 in the second period with a goal by Moreau. Saarela followed with a goal at 16:03
BEHIND THE BOX SCORE:
- Loranger earned her first career Hockey East win
- Saarela hasn't had a goal and an assist in the same game since Jan. 21, 2023 against Merrimack.
UP NEXT:
The Crusaders continue their series with the Terriers with their Morgan's Message game on Saturday, Jan. 27 at 7 pm. in the Hart Center Rink.
