POTSDAM, N.Y. - Despite an early goal from Vermont (0-2-0, 0-0-0 HEA) less than two minutes into the opening frame, five unanswered goals from Clarkson (4-0-0, 0-0-0 ECAC) were the difference on Saturday evening from Potsdam, N.Y. at Cheel Arena.
COACH'S QUOTE
"Credit to Clarkson for their play this weekend. They were excellent in all facets of the game and showed why they are a perennial national contender," said Head Coach Jim Plumer. "Hopefully we will look back at this weekend at some point and realize how much we learned about ourselves. There were certainly some important lessons for us that will help us down the road."
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Vermont pounced first, earning the first goal of the game 1:43 into opening puck drop when Grace Nelles and Lara Beecher dialed up a two-on-one rush. Nelles sent the puck to Beecher in the neutral zone, who proceeded to carry it all the way into the Clarkson zone, opting to unleash a quick snapshot by the faceoff dot, sniping it over the goalie's glove, pinning the back bar for her first goal of the season, earning the Catamounts the early 1-0 advantage.
- Clarkson bounced back, scoring an equalizer goal 13:11 into the game when Kirstyn McQuigge and Haley Winn worked the puck over to Jenna Goodwin, circling around the circle and ripping it through traffic in front, finding the back of the net to knot the score, 1-1.
- The Golden Knights doubled their score nearly halfway through the second, earning the 2-1 advantage. McQuigge connected with Andie Proulx on a d-to-d pass, where Proulx let a wrist shot fly from the point, avoiding all traffic and slipping under the glove of UVM's goalie, earning Clarkson a one goal cushion.
- Clarkson rallied a three-goal final period, securing the 5-1 win on Saturday evening.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Senior goalie Jane Gervais made her first start in a Catamount uniform on Saturday, posting 37 saves on a .881 save percentage.
- Beecher recorded her first goal of the season, 18th career goal. It's also the 13th time in her career recording a point in back-to-back games. Beecher tied a team high five shots and tied a game high five shots on goal. Beecher finished with a +1 +/- rating.
- Nelles tallied her first point as a Vermont Catamount, earning one assist.
- Kaylee Lewis tied a team high five shots, with three being on goal.
- Evelyne Blais-Savoie won 11 of the 19 faceoffs she took against Clarkson.
- Anna Podein recorded a game high four blocked shots. Podein's four blocked shots is a new career high.
UP NEXT
The Catamounts return home as they welcome conference foe, Merrimack, to Gutterson Fieldhouse for a two-game series next weekend. Puck drop is set for 6 p.m. on Friday (Oct. 11) and 3 p.m. for Saturday (Oct. 12) as Vermont faces off in their first conference games of the 2024-25 season. Catch all the action live on ESPN+ with Rob Ryan on the call.
