FINAL SCORE: Vermont 2, Merrimack 3
BURLINGTON, Vt. – Vermont (0-3-0, 0-1-0 HEA) battled hard until the end on Friday night from Gutterson Fieldhouse, scoring two goals in the final five minutes of play, but Merrimack's (1-2-0, 1-1-0 HEA) early 3-0 advantage was too much to overcome, as the Warriors skated away with the victory, 3-2.
 
RELATED LINKS
Box Score | Box Score (.pdf)
 
COACH'S QUOTE
"Tough result tonight that didn't necessarily reflect the run of the play," said Head Coach Jim Plumer. "I thought we really struggled in the first period with our puck management, and we were much improved in the second even though the scoreboard didn't show it. Credit to our players for fighting to the finish and making a very interesting last five minutes. I hope we can play the whole game that way tomorrow."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• After a scoreless first period, Merrimack struck first thanks to Sage Babey sniping her shot top shelf from an awkward angle 1:41 into the second frame, earning the Warriors a 1-0 lead.
• The Warriors doubled their lead 15:43 into the second period when Rachel Bjorgan found the back of the net, sneaking her shot through traffic in front, propelling the Merrimack advantage, 2-0.
• Chloe Goofers made it 3-0 in favor of the Warriors 8:07 into the third frame, earning Merrimack a three-goal cushion.
• With 4:56 of gametime remaining, the Catamounts pounced on attack, cutting the lead to 3-1 when Natalie Zarcone kept the puck in Merrimack's zone, wheeling around the bottom of the short side circle with the puck on her forehand, bringing it to her backhand once reaching the slot and ripping a shot on net, beating the Warrior goalie glove side, bringing Vermont within two, 3-1.
• Evelyne Blais-Savoie was awarded a penalty shot with 1:52 remaining on the clock due to a Merrimack player handling the puck with her hand inside the goalie crease, but the Warriors goalie stood strong, denying Blais-Savoie the opportunity.
• At the 18:08 mark of the final period, Vermont went on the powerplay, pulling the goalie for an extra attacker. McKenzie Cerrato worked the puck to Kyla Bent, who sent it to the far side where Lara Beecher was waiting. After taking a few strides to the middle, Beecher unleashed a slap shot from the top of the circle, pinning her shot top shelf to bring the Catamounts within one, 3-2, with less than two minutes to play.
• Merrimack's goalie made three crucial saves down the stretch, earning the Warriors their first win of the season.

 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Zarcone netted her third career goal vs Merrimack to go along with two shots on net.
• Beecher notched her second goal of the season, 19th in her career, scoring in back-to-back games for the fifth time in her UVM career to go along with three total shots on the night.
• Cerrato recorded two assists vs the Warriors, her first multi-point game in her UVM career.
• Bent registered one assist, her second assist of the season. Bent has recorded a point in two of the Catamounts three games so far.
• Ashley Kokavec earned her first point in a Vermont uniform, tallying one assist against the Warriors.
• Kaylee Lewis earned a game high five shots, the third time in her career putting five or more shots on net.
• All seven Catamounts who took a faceoff finished with a faceoff percentage above 50%, highlighted by Blais-Savoie winning 24 of the 27 faceoffs she took, and Rose-Marie Brochu who won 11 of the 13 faceoffs that she took. Overall Vermont won 45 of 59 faceoffs (76.3%)
• Vermont outshot Merrimack 28-20.

 
UP NEXT
Vermont will look to close out its weekend set with Merrimack, returning to action tomorrow afternoon for a 3 p.m. puck drop from the Gut. All the action will be streamed live on ESPN+ with Rob Ryan on the call. There will be a Replica Jersey Giveaway presented by M&T Bank. M&T Bank will be handing out replica jerseys to the first 100 fans in attendance.
 
For news and updates about the Vermont women's hockey program, follow @UVMwhockey on Instagram, X, and Facebook, and visit UVMathletics.com.
 
The Windjammer Inn and Conference Center is the presenting sponsor of the UVM women's hockey program