DURHAM – Redshirt junior Ava Boutilier stopped all 31 shots as No. 8 seed University of New Hampshire defeated No. 9 seed College of the Holy Cross, 3-0, in Thursday night’s opening round of the 2021 Women’s Hockey East Championship at the Whittemore Center.

UNH is now 7-13-1 and the Wildcats advance to the next round, a Sunday quarterfinal matchup at top-seeded Northeastern University. Game time is 7 p.m. on NESN.

Boutilier, who made 16 of her 31 saves in the second period, recorded her fifth shutout of the season, second in the postseason, and 12th of her career.

Freshman Nicole Kelly (Brantford, Ontario) scored two of the Wildcats’ goals, including one in late in the third period to secure the win; the two goals and two points matched her career high. Classmate Chavonne Truter (Uxbridge, Ontario) also matched her high of two points with a goal and an assist.

Holy Cross goalie Jada Brenon stopped 29 of 32 shots. The Crusaders end the season at 4-15-1.

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