GORHAM, Maine -- Sophomore forward Julia Pearl (Essex Junction, VT) scored an unassisted short-handed goal 5:30 into the second period to help the University of Southern Maine Huskies women's hockey team tie the College of the Holy Cross Crusaders 1-1 in an ECAC Women's East matchup at USM Ice Arena Saturday afternoon.

            With the tie, Southern Maine is now 4-9-5 overall and 3-6-3 in the conference.  Holy Cross is now 12-4-3 overall and 6-3-3 in conference play.

            Southern Maine had just thwarted Holy Cross on a 5-on-3 power play when Pearl returned to play and picked a clearing pass at center ice for a breakaway.  Pearl's initial shot was stopped by Crusaders' sophomore goalie Alexandra Stevenson (Norwood, N.Y), but Pearl was able to dig the puck away from Stevenson and slid a backhand shot inside the far post to tie it the score at 1-1.  The goal was Pearl's fourth of the year.

            After a scoreless third period, both teams went back and forth in overtime, but neither was able to capitalize, ending the game in a 1-1 draw.

            Holy Cross sophomore forward Rebecca Fleming (Newton, Mass.) put the Crusaders on top 1-0 with her team-leading eighth goal of the season 9:39 into the opening period.  Sophomore defensemen Jessica Frascotti (Needham, Mass.) made a long pass out of her own zone to Fleming for a breakaway against Southern Maine sophomore goaltender Liz Bergstrom (Chanhassen, Minn.).  Fleming got Bergstrom to move and slipped the puck back inside the right post.

            Bergstrom made 30 saves, including 10 in both the second and third periods.  Bergstrom is now 3-5-3 on the season.  Stevenson stopped 21 of the Huskies' 22 shots on goal, and is now 4-2-3.  Stevenson had a key save in the overtime to preserve the tie as USM junior Erin Banfield (Montpelier, Vt.) had a partial breakaway attempt.

            Southern Maine killed off all seven Holy Cross power plays, including two 5-on-3 advantages.  USM played the opening 1:18 of the five-minute overtime period short two skaters.

            Southern Maine returns to action when it hosts Colby College in a non-conference game at USM Ice Arena Tuesday (7:00 p.m.). Holy Cross will host St. Anselm College on Friday (7:00 p.m.).