Alexandra Berardelli ’25
Chief Opinions Editor
Just two hours after she belted the Canadian national anthem, senior defender Carmen Elliott led the Crusaders into a 1-0 win over the Maine Black Bears on her Senior Day last Saturday, Feb. 1. Before the puck drop, the 2025 class was honored for Senior Day alongside families and friends. In a sweet ceremony, they were celebrated for their time as Crusaders: Captain Emma Min, Emilie Fortunato, Carmen Elliott, Madison Michals, Mackenzie King, and Michela Lio. Still, they have more work to do.
Coming off a great effort on Friday, Jan. 31, against the New Hampshire Wildcats, the Crusaders hosted the Maine Black Bears for the Senior Day and Pink the Rink game. Despite Maine’s lead of 27-24 shots on goal, they could not get past junior goalie Abby Hornung, lending to a scoreless three periods and forcing the game into overtime.
During the overtime period, the Crusaders possessed command of the puck as alternate captain Alexia Moreau and Emilie Fortunato put up shots against the Black Bears. With a penalty called on Maine, the Crusaders went into a power play, and this was the opportunity they needed to bring it home. At 2:56 left in overtime – 13 seconds into their power play – Elliott fired in the game-winning shot assisted by sophomore forward Lulu Rourke and junior forward Moreau with sophomore forward Emily Crovo also on the ice.
If celebrating her time as a Crusader alongside her fellow seniors and teammates wasn’t enough, Elliott’s sudden death shot amplified the energy of the Hart Center. This was also Elliott’s first goal of the season and the first game-winner of her career, and since this game, she has been named Hockey East Army ROTC Co-Defender of the Week. It seemed to be something of a full-circle moment for Elliott and her team. The energy and vigor contained each of us in the stands, and Carmen’s joy was contagious. As her teammates rushed towards her, Carmen augmented her energy for her family and friends in the stands. It seemed to be a core moment for the Crusaders.
Now come out to support the women’s ice hockey team (8-16-3, 4-14-3) this Friday, February 7, when they host the Providence College Friars (16-9-3, 12-7-2) for the Winter Homecoming and Purple Out game. I’m not sure if Carmen will sing again, but you can only come out to watch these ladies on the ice (a girl can only hope she’ll serenade all of us once more)! See you at 6:00 pm in the Hart Center Rink.
Featured image courtesy of Holy Cross Athletics
Web Edited by Zexuan Qu
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