With just under 10 minutes left in the first period, No. 13 Boston College women’s hockey was still looking for its first goal in its matchup with Holy Cross in Conte Forum.
Katie Pyne delivered for the Eagles and was the kick-starter they needed. Drawing in the Crusader defense, Abby Newhook created space for Pyne to fire a shot into Holy Cross’ net—marking Pyne’s eighth goal of the season for the Eagles.
The Eagles (12–7–2, 11–3–2 Hockey East) built their lead throughout the game and downed the Crusaders (5–13–2, 2–10–2) 5–0 on Friday afternoon. Pyne’s goal ignited BC’s offense for the rest of the matchup and extended Holy Cross’ losing streak to five.
With 8:42 left in the first period, Holy Cross outshot BC 3–2. The Crusaders’ offensive advantage would not last, however, and both teams notched five shots on goal by the end of the first period. The Eagles tallied 16 total shots during the first 20 minutes of play, while the Crusaders registered 12.
Two penalties on BC’s Cailin Flynn also defined the first period of play, but Grace Campbell shut down the Crusaders’ attempts on net.
It wasn’t until the second period when BC’s offense began to heat up, when two power plays for the Eagles grew their 1–0 lead.
During BC’s first power play with 14:11 left to play in the second period, Newhook received a pass from across the arc and rifled a shot that sailed past Crusader goaltender Madison Beck and into the top shelf of Holy Cross’ net, giving the Eagles a 2–0 lead. The goal marked Newhook’s ninth of the season.
The second 20 minutes of the game could also be referred to as the Gaby Roy show, as she registered back-to-back goals for the Eagles.
With assists from Newhook and Molly Jordan, Roy received a backhanded pass, skated quickly, and juked past Beck to deliver the puck into the Crusaders’ net 17:52 into the second period—marking her ninth goal of the season.
But she was not done.
Seventeen seconds later, Roy did it again, bringing the score to a 4–0 BC lead over Holy Cross. An assist by Jade Arnone and Kiley Erickson allowed Roy to deflect the puck off her stick and launch it into Holy Cross’ net.
Following her 10th goal of the season, Roy was surrounded in a celebration of maroon and gold. The Crusaders, whose save percentage has decreased from .932 during their first seven games to .891 throughout their last six games, could not contain the offensive attack.
BC’s offensive streak continued into the last 20 minutes of play. Despite only having nine shots on goal compared to Holy Cross’ 11 shots, BC was the only team able to convert on goal, and Holy Cross ended the matchup scoreless.
With 4:57 left in the third period, Sidney Fess kept a play alive for the Eagles, providing Sammy Taber the opportunity to corral the puck, skate toward the goal, and nail a top-shelf shot—tallying Taber’s seventh goal of her young career and continuing her five-game point streak.
While Holy Cross had 50 shots compared to BC’s 49, the Eagles still dominated offensively in their 5–0 shutout win against the Crusaders. BC’s victory against Holy Cross marks the Eagles’ second shutout of the season—the first of which came with their Oct. 27 3–0 win over Merrimack.
Much of the Eagles’ offensive success came off power-play opportunities. Compared to Holy Cross’ two power plays, BC had three player-up chances and took advantage on two of them.
Campbell, who dominated in net, was another difference-maker. Throughout 60 minutes, Campbell saved 25 of the Crusaders’ shots.
