Patrick Grudberg ‘24 and Colin Healy ‘25
Sports Section Editors
Over fall break, both Holy Cross hockey programs got their ‘23-’24 seasons underway, becoming the first of the winter sports to do so. The two teams hit the ice against non-conference opponents to begin play for one of the longest seasons in college sports.
Eager to get going, the women’s squad has been eying the beginning of the season while working behind the scenes to prepare.
“We’ve been super excited to start the season,” senior Co-Captain Bryn Saarela told The Spire. “We’re just focusing on winning games that we should be winning and coming out with a season that is more successful than what we’ve been.”
The team traveled to New York to open up against Union for two games in Schenectady on October 6 and 7. Holding a two goal lead in the third period of the first game, the Crusaders let in two late goals to send the game into overtime. Union found the back of the net in the extra period to steal a 3-2 win from HC in heartbreaking fashion. The following day’s game followed a similar script, with Union again prevailing in overtime, this time 4-3.
Despite the two losses, freshman Reghan Chadwick potted two goals in the series, exactly the kind of production from underclassmen the team wishes to see.
“They’re getting acclimated to the team very well,” Saarela said of the newcomers, who have quickly been finding their roles.
As a co-captain with fellow senior Lilly Feeney, Saarela is excited to guide not just the incoming class but the whole team throughout the season. She’s embracing this leadership role amongst her peers, especially with her classmates.
“I think our senior class this year is very, very good. We’re all very different but we help the team in different ways. I’m really excited for our class this year,” she said.
A week after the Union series, the Crusaders were back at it for another two game series, this time against Brown. Though the team fell in overtime in the first game, they grabbed their first victory the next night, winning 2-1 to highlight their home opener at Hart. Funnily enough, this game also went into overtime, with senior forward Millie Sirum finding the back of the net on both goals.
With all four games going into overtime so far, the Crusaders are clearly showcasing their competitive nature. Despite only having one win to show for it, the team is sensing something different about this start to the year.
“We were doing things that we don’t usually do at the beginning of the season, which I think is huge,” said Saarela of little game notes that make a difference, like scoring first and holding leads. She thinks this is the team’s best start in her four years, which certainly bodes well for the rest of the season. She’s confident that scoreboards will start to favor the Crusaders, and soon.
Meanwhile, the men’s team has gotten off to one of their best starts in recent memory. After winning their season opener in dominant fashion 5-2 over Long Island University, Coach Riga’s club swept the no. 20 ranked UConn Huskies on consecutive nights, winning 2-1 and 2-0. Two outstanding performances in net by senior goaltender Jason Grande, coupled with goals by returners Jack Ricketts and Matt Guerra, a first career goal from freshman Jack Stockfish, and there is real reason for excitement surrounding the men’s program.
On top of the early production from young talent like Stockfish, Coach Riga’s team returns loads of production. Seven of their top ten point leaders return, with the likes of Ricketts, Guerra, Liam McLinskey and Devin Phillips leading the way. Senior defensemen Jack Robilotti and Jake Higgins are also back and hoping to lead a defense group that showed real promise at the end of last season. At the season’s conclusion, the Crusaders ranked 4th in Atlantic Hockey in goals allowed per game and 2nd in penalty kill percentage. The two veterans will be helped by fellow returning d-men Matt Shatsky and Mack Oliphant who contributed nicely last season. And as mentioned, their defensive core will be helped tremendously by a pair of studs between the pipes; senior goalie Jason Grande and junior Thomas Gale. The goaltending twosome started 20 and 19 games respectively, posting .911 and .902 save percentages. It’s a huge strength to have two such consistent performers in net if one were to leave injured. Having only lost five seniors, this is an experienced, talented group ready to take the next step.
Liam McLinskey is one player to keep an eye on as the season progresses. During the Crusaders’ miraculous Atlantic Hockey conference tournament run, the then-sophomore forward stole the show, tallying 9 goals in their seven tournament games including one series winner in overtime vs AIC. Having transferred over from Quinnipiac a season after Coach Riga made the same jump, he’s established himself as a top scoring option for the Crusaders’ attack. He finished last season second in points and first in goals, and there’s no reason why he couldn’t replicate those numbers.
Joining McLinskey and the other returners are some really exciting newcomers via the freshman class and the transfer portal. Coach Riga has brought on five freshmen, including brothers Ty and Brody Gagno. Brody, a defensemen, already has his name on the points sheet after assisting a goal vs LIU. Ty, a forward, is still waiting to get on the scoresheet but has blocked an impressive 6 shots in three games. The Gagno brothers are joined by defensemen Will Troutwine, Will Elias and forward Jack Stockfish. Via the transfer portal, Riga’s staff added Union College transfers junior Nic Petruolo and junior Michael Hodge. Petruolo appeared in 29 games over last season for the Dutchmen, while Hodge only appeared in two contests. We have seen Riga add a transfer who produced immediately (see McLinskey above), and Petruolo is already making his presence known with a team-leading ten blocked shots.
This upcoming weekend, the men’s team kicks off conference play away at Robert Morris, who is actually reinstating their hockey program for the first season since 2020-2021.
The Crusaders will be back home for Halloween weekend vs RIT, another imposing conference foe.
Next up for the women’s team is a home contest against Boston College on October 20. This will be their first conference game of the season in Hockey East. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00. We’ll certainly be checking in later in the season, but for now we wish both teams best of luck!
Featured image courtesy of goholycross.com
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