ORONO, ME. - Vermont (3-7-0, 2-4-0 HEA) defeated Maine (2-8-0, 2-4-0 HEA) 2-1 on Saturday afternoon from Harold Alfond Sports Arena behind a two-goal effort from graduate student, Grace Nelles. With the win, the Catamounts split the weekend series with the Black Bears, earning three conference points to wrap up the weekend.
COACH'S QUOTE
"Really proud of how our team played today," said Head Coach Jim Plumer. "We certainly learned some lessons from yesterday's game, and we put them into action today. We were tough and smart out there and played a complete game. Credit to Grace Nelles for banging home two rebounds and to Jane Gervais for standing tall in net. The fact that we limited them to 17 shots after yielding 40 yesterday shows our commitment to team defense. Looking forward to Holy Cross next weekend."
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Maine got off to a hot start, scoring just 24 seconds into the game thanks to Mikayla Boarder finding the back of the net, earning the Black Bears the early 1-0 advantage.
- A five-minute boarding major on Maine was called 2:40 into the game. Vermont capitalized at the 3:12 mark of the period on the power-play when Ashley Kokavec started at the top of the point, dishing the puck off to the side where Hailey Eikos corralled the pass and unleashed a shot. After being stopped just short of the net by the shin pads of Rose-Marie Brochu, Grace Nelles was there to finish the play, securing her second goal of the season, knotting the game up at 1-1.
- Vermont hit the crossbar two times before the end of the opening frame on similar plays. Both Julia Mesplede and Cecilia DesLauriers dialed up shots in the slot, but each player rung the crossbar, keeping the score at 1-1 heading into the first intermission.
- Just as time expired on a Vermont power-play 11:32 into the second frame, Kokavec and Brochu dialed up one last effort putting the puck on net. Similar to the Catamounts first goal, Nelles was waiting back door, where she buried the loose puck after a Kokavec attempt on goal, scoring on the rebound opportunity securing her second goal of the game and third of the season, earning Vermont a 2-1 lead.
- After a scoreless final period with Jane Gervais stopping the remainder of the shots sent her way, the Catamounts skated away with the gritty 2-1 victory from Orono, Maine.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Nelles notched two goals vs the Black Bears, her first multi-goal game as a Catamount. Nelles is now up to three goals this season.
- Kokavec earned one assist vs her former squad, Maine. Kokavec is up to four assists, five total points on the season.
- Brochu tallied two assists against the Black Bears. Brochu is up to five assists on the season, one away from tying her career high (6).
- Brochu has recorded six points in the last six games, the longest point streak in her career. This was Brochu's first career multi-assist game.
- Eikos also notched one assist, her first assist on the campaign.
- Lara Beecher and Oona Havana each had a game-high eight shots.
- Josie Hemp recorded a game-high five shots on goal, a new career high for her in that department.
- Jane Gervais posted 16 saves in the Catamounts 2-1 win over Maine.
- With the win, Vermont Mutual Insurance Group will donate $100 to Vermont Children's Trust Foundation as part of the Cats Win, Community Wins initiative.
UP NEXT
Following the win over Maine, Vermont returns home to Gutterson FIeldhouse for more Hockey East play, hosting a single matchup with Holy Cross on Saturday, November 9, in the teams TD Bank Teddy Bear Toss game. Puck drop is slated for 1 p.m. with the action being streamed live on ESPN+ with Rob Ryan on the call.
