BURLINGTON, Vt. -The Vermont women's hockey team skated to a 2-2 tie with 9th-ranked Clarkson Saturday night at Gutterson Fieldhouse. The Catamounts prevailed 2-1 in the exhibition shootout behind goals from Evelyne Blais-Savoie and Lara Beecher.
COACH'S QUOTE
"Great bounce back effort from our team tonight," Head Coach Jim Plumer said. "Clarkson is an excellent team and I was hoping we could make a big jump in our execution from last night. I'm super proud of our ability to adjust and go toe-to-toe with a program that has a championship pedigree. This game is something to build on as we match up against another very strong team in St. Lawrence next weekend."
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Vermont opened the scoring with 4:41 remaining in the first period behind Natalie Zarcone's first career goal. Natalie Mlynkova won a draw to Krista Parkkonen who rifled a pass to Zarcone. Zarcone fired a wrist shot from near the blue line that found the top right corner of the net.
- The Golden Knights evened the game 12:44 into the second period. Alexie Guay threaded a pass to a Rebecca Morissette across the ice as she netted the equalizing goal. Kirstyn McQuigge also received an assist on the score.
- The Catamounts responded early in the third period with the go-ahead goal. Maddy Skelton forced a Clarkson turn over that created a two-on-two rush for Vermont. Lara Beecher faked a pass that shifted the defense then tucked the puck home in the top corner.
- First-year player Kaylee Lewis fired a wrist shot that glanced off the post. Clarkson corralled the loose puck and proceeded to tally the game tying goal with 13:22 remaining. Darcie Lappan fed Haley Winn as she shot from the point through the Catamount defense and found the back of the net. Jaden Bogden was credited with an assist as well.
- After a scoreless overtime session, Blais-Savoie and Beecher scored in the shootout. Jessie McPherson made two saves to secure the exhibition shootout win for Vermont.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- The Catamounts blocked 14 shots Saturday night, including three apiece from Anna Podein and Mlynkova.
- McPherson recorded 30 saves, her sixth career 30-plus save performance.
UP NEXT
Vermont will take on St. Lawrence next weekend for a home-and-home series. Friday the teams will faceoff at 5p.m. in Gutterson Fieldhouse, and then again Saturday at 3 p.m. in Canton, New York. All the action will be streamed live on ESPN+.
