Sommer Ross scored two goals on Saturday afternoon, leading the Holy Cross Crusaders to a 3-2 win over the Maine Black Bears in women’s Hockey East action at the Hart Center in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Ross opened the scoring for Holy Cross (1-1, 1-1 Hockey East) jamming a rebound past Maine goalie Loryn Porter at 18:41 of the first period. The Black Bears shorthanded evened things early in the second when Ida Kuoppala lit the lamp on a breakaway at 1:25 to make it 1-1. The score stayed the same until early in the third, when Crusaders forward Carly Beniek batted one out of the air past Porter at 31 seconds to regain a one goal lead. The goal was waved off for a high stick, but after an official review it would stand up. Ross added insurance stealing a pass and scoring into an empty net with 1:41 left to play. Kuoppala scored a powerplay goal on a laser of a shot from just inside the point with 23.6 seconds remaining, but Maine ran out of time.
Porter made 29 saves in the loss for Maine, who also goes to 1-1, 1-1 HE. Lija Milijone and Ella Maclean each had an assist in the defeat. Jada Brenon made 19 saves in the Holy Cross win, while Lilly Feeney had two assists. Maine is scheduled to open their home schedule next Friday night and Saturday afternoon at Alfond Arena against UConn.
