Women’s Ice Hockey Claims Third Consecutive ECAC Title

The women’s ice hockey team concluded the 2010-11 season with its third consecutive ECAC Open championship. In the final round, the Crusaders forced a 4-4 tie against St. Anselm and earned the title by winning a shootout. Jocelyn Kratchmer ’11 earned MVP honors and was named to the All-Tournament team along with Stacey Hochkins ’12.

The Crusaders, finishing the season with an overall record of 17-9-1, took a 3-1 lead in the first period of play. Mounting a comeback, the Hawks tied the game at three in the second period, but Kratchmer put Holy Cross back on top with a top shelf wrist shot from the left wing in the third period. With just 19 seconds to play, however, St. Anslem matched Kratchmer’s goal with one of their own to send the game into overtime.

Senior goaltender Monique Gallant, who recorded 30 saves on the day, protected the net and helped force a shootout after the scoreless overtime period.

Holy Cross’ Nicola Garat ’12 stepped up to the plate and sank the first shot of the shootout. After a St. Anslem miss, Kratchmer put the Hawks in a do-or-die situation with her goal off a slick left-to-right move. The Hawks failed to capitalize, and Holy Cross was the winner of the game and tournament.

Standout forward Kratchmer finished her career with 145 points, the all-time most accumulated in school history, and set a new school record with 72 assists.

“Winning the ECAC Tournament was a true testament to the hard work all my teammates put into the contest and represented the culmination of the determination we Crusaders put into the season as a whole,” says Garat. “Our team is comprised of an awesome group of girls and our two great coaches, [Peter Van Buskirk and Bill Bowes]. When I was standing at center to participate in the shootout, I gave my absolute best effort for no one but them.”

Though graduating six seniors, the Crusaders still look forward to a promising 2011-12 season with the likes of Garat still on roster. She wrapped up the season with 72 career points, tenth all-time at Holy Cross, and ranks seventh with 44 career goals.

As a team, the women have played 82 consecutive games without being shut out.