BOSTON UNIVERSITY SKATES PAST VERMONT, 8-4
Junior forward Isabel Menard registers two goals and assist for the Terriers

Junior forward Isabel Menard had two goals and an assist for the Terriers

BURLINGTON, Vt. - Isabel Menard had two goals and an assist to lead No. 10 Boston U to a 8-4 win against Vermont in Hockey East action at Gutterson Fieldhouse Saturday afternoon.

Menard opened the scoring for the Terriers with the first two goals in the first period to establish an early Boston U lead. Marie Philip-Poulin fed Menard on both goals.

Just 24 seconds after the second Menard goal Shannon Mahoney scored her second goal of the season to push the Terriers advantage to three. From the point Caroline Campbell dished to Mahoney who deflected the puck in front off the crossbar. She quickly found the rebound and put it home giving Boston U a commanding lead entering the second period.

After being outshot 12-4 in the first period the Catamounts came out with a better sustained effort in the second period, and it paid off. Vermont broke out of its zone with a great pass from Erin Wente to Chelsea Rapin, who quickly entered the Boston U zone. In transition Rapin centered a pass to Krystal Baumann who deflected the puck past Boston U goaltender Kerrin Sperry for her fifth goal of the season at the 8:49 mark.

With a renewed sense of confidence the Catamounts caused a Boston U turnover at their blue line. Kellie Dineen corralled the loose puck skated into the slot and beat Sperry with a wrist shot labeled for the top corner. Dineen's team leading eighth goal of the season brought the Catamounts within one with 9:57 left in the second.

With 6:48 remaining in the period the Terriers struck again. Vermont goaltender Roxanne Douville made the initial save on a Britt Hergesheimer shot, but the puck rolled around in the crease, and Douville swiped the puck out with her glove. Kayla Tutino corralled the puck and fed Jenn Wakefield who roofed it past Douville before she had recovered on the play.

Vermont had the answer just over three minutes later on the power play. Amanda Pelkey broke down the wing and rang a shot off the crossbar. Sperry couldn't find the rebound and Rapin tucked in the rebound for her seventh goal of the season. Megan Dalbec was credited with an assist on the play.

The Terriers reestablished control of the game 4:36 into the third period. Jill Cardella forced a turnover and created a 2-on-1 with Menard, who streaked up the right wing. Cardella fed Menard, who dished it right back to Cardella for a backhand finish past Douville.

Less than two minutes later the Terriers made it 6-3 when Taylor Holze walked in from behind the net and beat Douville with a close-range wrist shot. Boston U pushed their advantage to four with a Louise Warren goal just 2:02 after Holze's goal.

Late in the third period the Catamounts pulled Douville in lieu of an extra-attacker. With a 6-on-4 on advantage Erin Wente scored her seventh goal of the season to bring the Catamounts within three. 17 seconds later the Terriers rounded out the scoring with Wakefield's 21st goal of the season.

The Catamounts return to action tomorrow afternoon at 2 p.m. as they face Boston U at Gutterson Fieldhouse on Senior Day. After the game the Catamounts will honor their two seniors Chelsea Rapin and Kailey Nash.

NOTES: Vermont scored four goals for just the third time this season, and for the first time since Nov. 3 at New Hampshire ... With New Hampshire and UConn losses Vermont still trails UNH for the final playoff spot by two points.