BURLINGTON, Vt. - Vermont native Melissa Bizzari scored two goals to lead the second-ranked Boston College Eagles to a 4-0 win over Vermont Sunday afternoon in the regular season finale for both teams at Gutterson Fieldhouse.
The Eagles opened the scoring 14:09 into the first period on the power play. A one-timed shot by Bizzari deflected high in the air off a Vermont defender's stick and went over Vermont goaltender Kelci Lanthier and in for Bizzari's 15th goal of the season.
Bizzari struck again at the 6:24 mark of the second period. Alex Carpenter hit her in stride with a pass to lead her in on a breakaway on Lanthier. She went to her right and beat Lanthier with a quick shot back to her left.
At the 13:14 mark of the second period Haley Skarupa put the Eagles in front by three on a shorthanded breakaway. She put her 22nd goal of the season away with a shot just inside the far post.
Ashley Motherwell added the fourth goal with 2:50 left in the second period. Motherwell collected the rebound in front off a Blake Bolden point shot and put away her 11th goal of the season with a backhand past Lanthier.
Boston College goaltender Corinne Boyles made 21 saves for her third shutout of the season and 10th of her career. Lanthier made 29 saves for the Catamounts in her final collegiate start at Gutterson Fieldhouse.
"Credit to Boston College for playing an excellent game and finishing their chances," said head coach Jim Plumer. "We weren't quite as sharp as we were yesterday and BC made us pay. I'm proud of how well we've competed with two of the best teams in the country over the past two weeks and overall it's been a positive step forward for our program. We're really looking forward to our first-ever playoff game next Saturday at Northeastern."
Vermont returns to action next weekend in their first-ever Division I playoff game Saturday night at No. 10 Northeastern in the Hockey East Quarterfinals. Faceoff is set for 7 p.m. at historic Matthews Arena. Live video will be available for free via GoNUxstream.
NOTES: Seniors Emily Walsh, Erin Wente, and Kelci Lanthier played their final game at Gutterson Fieldhouse as Catamounts this afternoon ... Greer Vogl blocked five shots to add to her team-leading total of 61.