FINAL SCORE (OT): Vermont 5, No. 7 Providence 4
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Ali O'Leary's goal with 2:31 left in overtime lifted the Vermont Catamounts (6-10-4, 4-7-2 WHEA) over the seventh-ranked Providence Friars (15-4-0, 9-3-0 WHEA) Saturday afternoon at Schneider Arena.
 
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Box Score

COACH'S QUOTE
"This was a great way to come back from break," said head coach Jim Plumer. "Our entire team really stepped up against a very good opponent. I'm really proud of this group, their resilience, and their work ethic to improve."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Providence jumped out to a 2-0 lead when Ariane Julien opened the scoring at 9:21 in the first period and Maureen Murphy added a goal 1:23 later.
• The Catamounts cut the deficit with 2:29 left in the frame when Ève-Audrey Picard batted home a loose puck on the power play for her seventh of the season. Corinne McCool was credited with the assist on the tally.
• Down one in the final minute of the opening period, Olivia Kilberg powered her way to the Friars' goal and slipped the puck under the pads of Madison Myers (25 saves) to tie the game. The Vermont sophomore's fourth goal of the season came with 38.5 seconds left on the clock.
• Providence regained the lead with 5:53 left in the middle frame when Cassidy MacPherson collected a pass from Annelise Rice and beat Melissa Black (20 saves) for her eighth goal of the season.
• However, the resilient Catamounts tied the game 25 seconds later when Theresa Schafzahl received a pass and quickly wristed a shot over the glove of Myers. Picard registered her second point of the game with the lone assist on the equalizer.
• The two squads exchanged goals in the third period as Murphy netted her second goal of the game and the nation-leading 19th of the season. But Vermont responded again when Alyssa Gorecki received a pass from Abby Cleary on the power play and one-timed a shot into the open net. Picard picked up her second assist of the day on the goal that forced overtime.
• UVM pushed the pace early in the extra frame when Alyssa Holmes nearly clinched the game in the opening minute but whistled a shot wide of the net. Shortly after, Saana Valkama fired a shot on goal and O'Leary dove to clean up the rebound for the game-winner.

 NOTES

• The win over the seventh-ranked Friars was Vermont's first victory against a top-10 opponent since they defeated No. 5 Minnesota on the road last season (Jan. 12, 2018).
• UVM's five goals mark the third consecutive game that they've registered at least four goals, which includes five markers in two of those contests.
• With the victory, the Cats Win, Community Wins campaign and Vermont Mutual Insurance Group will donate $100 to a local Vermont charity, bringing this year's total to 3 wins and $300.

WHAT'S NEXT
Vermont returns to action Sunday (Jan. 6) to close out the two-game road trip against No. 7 Providence at Schneider Arena. Puck drop is slated for 2 p.m.

The Windjammer and Upper Deck Pub is the presenting sponsor of the 2018-19 women's hockey season