BURLINGTON, Vt. - In her final regular season home game, Jessie McPherson earned her second shutout of the season to conclude Senior Day presented by UVM Health Advantage on the way to a 3-0 victory over No. 11 UConn Saturday afternoon from Gutterson Fieldhouse. With the win, the Catamounts now hold a 12-16-4 overall record (10-12-3 HEA).
COACH'S QUOTE:
"It was a great team win today and a great way to pay tribute to the seniors," Head Coach Jim Plumer said. "The first period was as good as any period we have played all season it set us up for success. Jessie McPherson was exceptional today and it was a thrill to see Brooke George score her first-career goal in such a big game. UConn is an outstanding team and it took every one of us to be committed to the game plan. Hopefully we can carry this momentum into a good final weekend at Northeastern."
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Brooke George scored her first career goal 9:44 into the opening frame to give Vermont the 1-0 lead. After cycling the puck at the hashmarks near the boards in UConn's zone, Kaylee Lewis fed George who was waiting in the high slot, putting her in prime position to lace a shot past the glove side of UConn's goalie, securing her first career goal as a Catamount.
- 13:18 into the opening period, Lewis netted her ninth goal of the season to give the Catamounts a 2-0 cushion. Evelyne Blais-Savoie made a pass across the blue line to defender, Krista Parkkonen, who threw a shot on net, somehow avoiding all traffic. After an initial stop, Lewis tracked down the rebound, maneuvered the puck to her forehand, and shot into a relatively wide-open net to give Vermont the two-goal lead heading into first intermission.
- After a scoreless second period, Parkkonen scored her sixth goal of the season on the power play 15:03 into the final frame to elevate Vermont's lead, 3-0. Lily Humphrey found Natalie Mlynkova at the top near the blue line, who then dished it off to Parkkonen, waiting at the faceoff dot to unleash a massive one-timer past UConn's goalkeeper, handing UVM a 3-0 lead.
- 14 third period saves by McPherson linked Vermont to a 3-0 shutout win over No. 11 UConn Saturday afternoon, ensuring a successful Senior Day.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- Three Catamounts found the back of the net against UConn. Freshman defenseman, Brooke George scored her first career goal as a Vermont Catamount, followed by fellow freshman, Kaylee Lewis, notching her ninth goal on the campaign. Parkkonen sealed the deal, netting her sixth goal of the season.
- Lewis and Parkkonen each tallied an assist as well, giving them two points each against UConn. It's Lewis' fourth multi-point game of the season and Parrkonens' seventh.
- McPherson saved all 33 shots faced Saturday afternoon.
- Seven different skaters registered a point for Vermont against UConn.
- Evelyne Blais-Savoie won 75 percent of her faceoffs, winning nine of the 12 she faced.
- With today's 3-0 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:
Vermont looks to close out the regular season with a two-game series at #13 Northeastern next weekend. The Catamounts will face the Huskies at 6 p.m. on Friday, February 23 and again Saturday, February 24, at 7:30 p.m. Catch all the action live on ESPN+.
