Box Score STAMFORD, Conn. – The Manhattanville women's hockey team celebrated 'Senior Day' in comeback fashion scoring two unanswered goals in the third period to defeat the Holy Cross Crusaders on Sunday evening by the score of 3-2.
 
Prior to the start of the contest the Manhattanville athletics department celebrated the careers of the eight seniors of the team who will be graduating at the conclusion of the spring semester. Amongst those celebrated were Alyssa Taylor (Craik, Saskatchewan/Sait Polytechnic (ACAC)), Jessica Kehoe (Kemptville, Ontario/Nepean Wildcats (PWHL)), Erin Sidjak (Delta, British Columbia/Pacific Steelers (JWHL)), Katie Little (Victoria, British Columbia/Team British Columbia), Kelly Keane (Longmeadow, Mass./New England Falcons (EJHL)), Mary Rose Morrison (Ridgefield, Conn./Connecticut Stars (MFYHL)), Sonia Occhionero (Montreal, Quebec/Kent School (Conn.)) and Lynsey Schill (Waterloo, Ontario/Kitchener Rangers (PWHL)).
 
The game started off slow for both sides after both teams had an eight-day break since their last contests. Manhattanville struggled early on in the penalty department and gave Holy Cross a 4-on-3 power play chance just 5:12 into the game. However neither side was unable to convert on special teams and play resumed through the first period.
 
With 11:32 gone by, Morrison followed sophomore Trenah Stauffer (Salmon, Idaho/Colorado Select (JWHL)) across the goal mouth, Morrison then reached around Holy Cross goalkeeper Krista Manzanares to put the Valiants up by a 1-0 score. Despite the screen set by Stauffer, it was two other sophomores to pick up the assists, Alla Traun (Edina, Minn./Minnesota Thoroughbreds (JWHL)) and Aubrey Bachand (Harwichport, Mass./Vermont Academy).
 
Just over three minutes later, Rebecca O'Quinn threw a sharp-angle shot on goal that was initially stopped by Manhattanville junior netminder Mary Evans (Ferndale, Mich./Honeybaked (TOEHL)). The puck was loose on the short side and that was just enough space for Caroline English to sneak the puck in and tie the game at one apiece.
 
Manhattanville killed off one last power play chance for the Crusaders, and the Crusaders killed off the first half of a penalty that carried over in second period with the two sides knotted up at one apiece.
 
The Crusaders killed off the remainder of the power play chance for Manhattanville, but again a few minutes later it was the Valiants to take a penalty and it proved to be a costly one. Kati Goguen wheeled around in the slot and netted the go-ahead goal to put Holy Cross up 2-1, a lead they took into the third period.
 
To start off the third, Manhattanville had 1:56 of power play time left on the clock to start off the period but it didn't take long for the Valiants to strike. Just 13 seconds into the game, a senior trio connected on the game-tying goal as Morrison passed the puck towards the boards, where Schill blasted a shot from the top of the circle, where it was tipped in front by Occhionero to the back of the net.
 
A few minutes later the Valiants struck while the iron was hot as Stauffer again was involved as she took the puck away from Holy Cross and throwing one towards the slot. Classmate Michelle Meggiolaro shot far side and got around Manzanares, who was out towards the top of the crease.
 
The penalty bug continued to bit the Valiants as Holy Cross was granted three more power play chances through the remainder of the contest, but Manhattanville was up to the task holding the Crusaders to just 1-of-7 on the power play. Manhattanville was 1-for-5 on the man-advantage.
 
Earning the win was Evans (9-6-1) while making 25 saves in the effort while allowing two goals for Holy Cross. Taking the loss for the Crusaders was Manzanares (8-3-1) who made 15 save in 58:52 of ice time.
 
Manhattanville (14-7-1, 12-2-1 ECAC East) will have a quick turnaround with a date on Wednesday against the Salve Regina Seahawks at 2:00 p.m. Holy Cross (12-5-5, 6-4-5 ECAC East) will next play on the road against Castleton in Vermont on Friday at 7:00 p.m.