ITHACA, N.Y. -- Jenny Niesluchowski stopped 36 shots as Cornell shut out Vermont, 3-0, in women's college hockey Saturday afternoon at Lynah Rink. The loss, in UVM's first road game of the year, stopped the Catamounts season-opening winning streak at four games. The game was the first of the year for the Big Red, a former ECAC rival of Vermont.
Rebecca Johnston opened the scoring with her first career goal just 2:52 into the contest. The score remained 1-0 until Johnston and Karley Overguard (two assists) set up Caeleigh Beerworth at 11:46 of the third period. Brianne Schmidt wrapped up the scoring 1:22 later on assists from Brianne Gilbert and Hayley Hughes.
The Catamounts (4-1-0) could not convert on eight power play opportunities throughout the game including four in the third period when they trailed by just a goal. Niesluchowski made 14 stops in the final stanza to preserve the shutout.
Vermont had a 36-35 edge in shots in the game and killed all three Cornell power plays. UVM goalie Kristen Olychuck (Kelowna, B.C.) finished with a season-high 32 saves.
The Catamounts and Big Red play again Sunday at 1:00pm at Lynah Rink. After another road game at Dartmouth next Friday, Vermont returns home to host Boston College in its Hockey East opener on Friday, November 3. For ticket information, please contact the UVM Athletic Ticket Office at 1-866-4CAT-TIX or log on to uvmathletics.com. UVM students (with a valid ID) and all Rally’s Round Up members are admitted free to all home women’s hockey games.