Final Score: Vermont 4, Union 2
SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – Sarah Kelly picked up third career game-winning goal late in the first period as the Catamounts scored three first period goals to win their second straight non-conference game 4-2 over Union Saturday afternoon at Messa Rink.
 
RELATED LINKS
Box Score
 
Vermont opened the scoring just 1:04 into the first period. Bella Webster gathered a loose puck in the corner before passing behind the net to Victoria Andreakos. Andreakos centered a feed to Dayna Colang and Colang one-timed it past Union's Melissa Black for her team-leading seventh goal of the season. The goal marked the third consecutive game the Catamounts have scored first.
 
The Catamounts early lead was short lived as the Dutchwomen answered back at the 3:40 mark of the opening frame. Vermont's Madison Litchfield made an initial save on Union's Alli Devin but the puck caromed off the end-boards to Emily Erickson who quickly centered a pass in front to Jamie Smith who tapped home her fourth goal of the season.
 
Vermont reestablished its lead midway through the first. Black made a couple of initial saves in traffic but as she tried to cover the puck it was pushed back out into the slot. Vermont's Rachael Ade gathered the puck and fired it over Black's shoulder for her second goal of the season. Ade's unassisted tally came with 10:09 left in the first period.
 
The Catamounts pushed their advantage to two goals with 1:59 left in the first period. In transition Saana Valkama dumped the puck into the Union zone, stepped around a Dutchwomen defender and gathered the puck on what had become a two-on-one rush. She fed a quick pass to Kelly and Kelly buried her second goal of the season.
 
Union cut the Catamounts advantage in half with an even strength tally 8:22 into the middle frame as Brandy Streeter picked up her first collegiate goal. A mad scramble in front of the Vermont net was cleared out to the point and Streeter fired a shot, Kourtney Menches blocked her first shot attempt, but Streeter gathered and fired again with traffic in front and Litchfield never saw it.
 
Litchfield made 24 saves including five in the third period to win her second game of the season. With 42 seconds left in regulation Alyssa Gorecki put the game out of reach scoring her fourth goal of the season into an empty net.
 
"Once again we came out firing in the first period and it was great to get some momentum," said head coach Jim Plumer. "Dayna Colang, Victoria Andreakos, and Bella Webster created numerous great chances throughout the game. It was great to come out hot in 2016."
 
The Catamounts return to action Monday night as they begin a stretch of 14 Hockey East games to end the regular season hosting Merrimack for the first time. Faceoff is set for 7 p.m.
 
Vermont will host the 12^th annual Teddy Bear Toss sponsored by the Vermont Teddy Bear Company on Monday. Fans are asked to bring a bear to toss onto the ice during the second intermission. All bears will be donated to patients at local health centers by members of the Vermont men's and women's hockey teams this winter.