GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Cassidy Campeau scored twice and Madison Litchfield made 29 saves as Vermont won it's regular season opener 3-1 over No. 7 North Dakota Saturday night at Ralph Engelstead Arena in non-conference action.
 
The Catamounts came out strong in the first period as North Dakota and Vermont exchanged chances. Litchfield made a couple of key stops on UND's first power play of the game to keep them off the board. It was the first time in five games that North Dakota had been held scoreless at home in the opening period.
 
The Catamounts opened the scoring 2:21 into the second period. Delia McNally won a puck battle in the corner and she centered a pass to Campeau who beat North Dakota goaltender Lexie Shaw (19 saves) with a quick backhand as she cut in front of the net. Freshman Katherine Pate earned the secondary assist on the play, it was her first collegiate point in her first career game.
 
Vermont's first lead of the season was short lived as UND struck just 17 seconds later. In transition Megham Dufault one-timed a shot that Litchfield stopped but Josefine Jakobsen put the rebound in for her second goal of the season.
 
Campeau put the Catamounts back in front 3:05 into the third period. Bridget Baker corralled a loose puck behind the net and passed to Campeau in the slot. Campeau hesitated before wiring a high shot past Shaw for her first career multi-goal game. Klara Myren picked up the secondary assist on the goal.
 
Dayna Colang put the game out of reach with an insurance marker late in the third period. Brittany Zuback found her alone in front and she beat Shaw with a hard low shot after getting Shaw to bite on a shot fake. McNally also assisted on Colang's tally with 2:37 left in the third.
 
Litchfield made 13 third period saves to preserve the Catamounts lead. She earned her first career win over a ranked opponent.
 
"What a fantastic team effort we had tonight," said head coach Jim Plumer. "To overcome the travel issues and be able to execute at such a high level speaks directly to the character of our entire lineup. It was especially satisfying to see two of our sophomores who have worked so hard to raise the level of their games play pivotal roles. I can't say enough about how proud I am of Madison Litchfield and Cassidy Campeau their work ethic, attitude and dedication epitomize the culture of our program."
 
Vermont has now won three of its last four games against ranked opponents. The Catamounts beat UND for the first time since 2003.
 
Vermont closes out the weekend tomorrow afternoon when they travel to face Bemidji State at 3:07 p.m. It will be the first time since 2007 that the Catamounts and Beavers have met.
 
NOTES: Katherine Pate made her Catamount debut this evening after missing the exhibition game against McGill … Dating back to last season Vermont has won 10 of its last 12 games.