Madeline Carr ’28
Staff Writer
The Holy Cross women’s hockey team could not have asked for a better start to its 2025-26 campaign. Hosting Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) for a two game set at the Hart Center, the Crusaders came away with two victories in a hard fought 2-1 win on Friday night and a convincing 3-0 shutout on Saturday. The weekend delivered not only two wins, but also offered an early glimpse of what this season will have to offer.
Friday’s matchup set the tone for the season by testing the Crusaders’ ability to close out a tight game. After a scoreless first period, sophomore Lulu Rourke broke through on the power play for the Crusaders’ first goal of the new season. The lead doubled half way through the third period when senior captain Manny Gendron redirected a shot from Taylor Cantelon putting them up 2-0. RPI got one back late in regulation but Holy Cross held firm to secure the 2-1 victory.
The Crusaders dictated much of the play, outshooting RPI 29-13. Senior goaltender Abby Hornung was steady in net, and Holy Cross showcased balanced special teams, capitalizing on the man advantage while keeping RPI’s power play at bay. The win not only provided a promising start to the season, but it also gave the team confidence heading into Saturday’s rematch.
Saturday, the Crusaders made a statement after striking twice in the opening period. First-year forward Ella Malloy came away with her first collegiate goal, followed by senior Alexia Moreau, giving Holy Cross a comfortable cushion to start off the game.
Senior forward Reghan Chadwick finished up the weekend with a third period goal, sealing a 3-0 victory. Senior goaltender Brooke Loranger stole the spotlight, turning away all 22 shots she faced to record her first shutout of the season. The Crusaders demonstrated depth in scoring, a strong defense, and a physical edge that wore RPI down across both games.
Furthermore, the opening weekend highlighted the Crusader’ depth across the roster. Five different players registered goals over the two games, while both goaltenders earned wins in net. That balance is an encouraging sign for a program that has steadily grown its presence in Hockey East. It shows the team won’t have to rely on a single line or star player to generate offense this season.
Equally important was the team’s defensive structure. Holy Cross allowed just 35 shots on goal across the two games, consistently limiting RPI’s chances to the perimeter and clearing rebounds quickly. That level of discipline will be critical as the Crusaders shift from nonconference play into the Hockey East schedule where defensive lapses are often the difference between stealing points and coming up short.
For RPI, the losses drop them to 0-4 on the season. Despite strong goaltending and stretches of pushback, the Engineers struggled to generate sustained offense across both games. Against a structured Holy Cross squad, those few chances were not merely enough.
Looking ahead, Holy Cross faces a challenging schedule in Hockey East play, but with contributions from both veterans and newcomers, along with steady goaltending, the Crusaders leave the weekend with momentum. Starting the season 2-0 at home gives them a strong foundation as they prepare to test themselves against tougher competition in the weeks ahead.
Featured Image Courtesy of Holy Cross Athletics
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