Crusaders spoil Seahawks' season opener, 3-0

MIDDLETOWN, R.I. - Senior Stacey Hochkins (New Boston, Mich.) compiled two goals and an assist to lead the Holy Cross women's ice hockey team to a 3-0 victory over Salve Regina University on Friday night at St. George's Ice Arena. The contest marked the season opener for both clubs, with the Crusaders improving to 1-0-0 (1-0-0 ECAC), and the Seahawks dropping to 0-1 (0-1 ECAC).

The Crusaders jumped on the board at the 12:07 mark of the opening period as Hochkins and sophomore Amanda Galagher (Park Ridge, Ill.) assisted senior Nicola Garat (Princeton, N.J.) for what turned out to be the game-winning score.

Holy Cross outshot the Seahawks by an 18-2 margin in the period, but were only able to muster the one goal as Salve Regina senior goaltender Rebecca Simmons (Averill Park, N.Y.) made 17 saves in the opening frame to keep her team in the game.

The Crusaders scored a quick goal to begin the second period, as Hochkins collected her own rebound and slapped it home to give Holy Cross a 2-0 advantage at the 1:10 mark of the frame.

Hochkins was back at it less than nine minutes later, taking a pass from freshman Nicole Giannino (Bay Shore, N.Y.) and finding the back of the net to give the Crusaders a comfortable 3-0 lead heading into the third period.

Both teams had solid scoring chances in the third frame, but Crusaders goalie Carly Dominick-Sobol (Syracuse, N.Y.) turned away eight shots for Holy Cross, while Simmons saved 17 shots for Salve Regina before the final horn sounded.

Dominick-Sobol earned the shutout victory in net for the Crusaders, making 14 saves, while Simmons took the tough-luck loss in net for the Seahawks while stopping 41 shots on the night.

The Crusaders return to action tomorrow hosting Sacred Heart at 2 p.m., while the Seahawks take to the ice next Friday in a home conference match up versus St. Anselm at 6 p.m.