BURLINGTON, Vt. - First-year defenseman Natalie Zarcone scored the game-winning goal 2:02 into overtime to secure Vermont a 3-2 victory over Holy Cross in the Rally Against Cancer Game presented by Mascoma Bank. With the win, the Catamounts improve to 11-15-2 (9-11-1 HEA) on the campaign while Holy Cross falls to 7-17-3 (4-14-3 HEA)
The Catamounts wore special edition jerseys for the Rally Against Cancer Game, that are available for auction at https://www.32auctions.com/uvmwihcancer. The auction will end on Saturday, February 10 at 6 p.m. and proceeds will benefit the UVM Cancer Center.
COACH'S QUOTE
"Good to get the win tonight and get back on the winning track," head coach Jim Plumer said. "We competed hard tonight and again showed resilience and a quick response after Holy Cross scored the first goal. It was a great weekend for our power play, and I hope we can keep that going as well. We have three big weekends left and it's good to have found our rhythm again."
HOW IT HAPPENED
- After a scoreless opening period, the Crusaders initiated scoring 11:14 into the second frame on the first power play of the game. Lane Lewis found the back of the net for the fourth time this season to give Holy Cross a 1-0 lead.
- The Catamounts quickly responded, 13:20 into the second period when Lily Humphrey fed Bella Parento who located Krista Parkkonen all alone across the ice. Parkkonen took a few strides to the top of the short side circle and sniped the puck over the goaltender's shoulder, notching her fifth goal of the year to tie the game at 1-1.
- Natálie Mlýnková made it 2-1 Vermont on the power play 18:07 into the second period after gathering a pass from Parkkonen and maneuvering her way to the high slot. Mlýnková unleashed a vicious wrist shot through heavy traffic into the top left corner. The goal marked Mlýnková's 15th of the season.
- Holy Cross scored the equalizer on the power play with 3:58 remaining in the third period after executing a tic-tac-toe play that was finished off by Lilly Feeney. The 2-2 tally sent the game into overtime.
- A tripping call on Holy Cross awarded Vermont their third power play of the game 29 seconds into overtime. The Catamounts capitalized after Parento fed Zarcone with a pass in the slot. Zarcone ripped her second goal of the year into the back of the net, securing Vermont's weekend sweep.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Mlynkova scored her 46th career goal, making her tied for third on the program's all-time goals scored list.
- Parkkonen registered a goal and an assist for Vermont in tonight's matchup, tallying multiple points in back-to-back games for the first time in her career.
- Parento recorded two assists, tallying points in back-to-back games for the second time this season.
- Evelyne Blais-Savoie played in her 100th career game in a Catamounts uniform Saturday night against Holy Cross.
- With today's 3-2 decision, Community Bank N.A. will donate $225 to Special Olympics Vermont. Community Bank, N.A. donates $75 per goal to Special Olympics Vermont for every goal the men's and women's team scores this season.
- With the win, Vermont Mutual Insurance Group will donate $100 to King Street Center as part of the Cats Win, Community Wins initiative. Since its inauguration in 2017, Vermont Mutual Insurance Group has donated over $80,000 to local non-profits through the Cats Win, Community Wins initiative.
UP NEXT
The Catamounts hit the road for a two-game road trip with the first stop in Chestnut Hill, Mass. to face Boston College on Friday (Feb. 9) at 2 p.m. Vermont then heads down to Providence, R.I. to go head-to-head with the Friars on Saturday (Feb. 10) at 3 p.m. Catch all the action live on ESPN+.
