ST. CLOUD, Minn. -- Danielle Hirsch set up three goals as ninth-ranked St. Cloud State topped Vermont, 4-1, in women's college hockey Friday night at the National Sports Center. The loss was the seventh against a nationally- ranked foe this season for the Catamounts while the WCHA Huskies extend their unbeaten streak to seven games (6-0- 1).
St. Cloud State (14-6-4) controlled play throughout the game out-shooting the Catamounts (4-16-1), 39-12. Brittany Nelson (Shelburne, Vt.) scored the lone UVM goal, her fourth of the season, on an assist from Chelsea Furlani (Colchester, Vt.), with 13 seconds remaining in the contest to avoid the shutout.
Hirsch picked up assists on first period goals by Marie- Michel Lemieux and Amy Currier to open the scoring. Michele Moen and Sammi Nixon tallied in the third for SCSU.
Kristen Olychuck (Kelowna, B.C.) was sturdy in goal stopping 35 of 39 shots for the Catamounts. Kendal Newell made 11 saves for St. Cloud State in picking up the victory. St. Cloud State converted one of its three power play opportunities while UVM went 0-for-4.
Vermont closes out the series with the Huskies Saturday night at 8:00pm (eastern time) in its final non-league game of the season. The Catamounts return home to host Hockey East rival Providence Friday and Saturday, Jan. 25-26, at Gutterson Fieldhouse. 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.