FINAL SCORE: Vermont 4, Merrimack 1
NORTH ANDOVER, MA. – Vermont (9-12-2, 3-7-1 HEA) defeated Merrimack (3-16-2, 0-11-0) 4-1 on Friday night from Lawler Arena, getting two goals from Oona Havana and 19 total saves from Zoe Cliche to open conference play in 2026, earning three crucial points towards Hockey East standings. With the win, the Catamounts secure their third straight victory.
 
RELATED LINKS
Box Score
 
COACH'S QUOTE
"Great team win and really proud of our resilience to recover from a subpar first period and giving up the first goal," said Head Coach Jim Plumer. "Our team put together two really strong periods, and we found our rhythm. I am excited to see us keep putting together consistent efforts."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Warriors opened scoring 10:41 into the first period on the powerplay, seeing Emma Pfeffer go top shelf after burying the rebound off an initial shot from the point by Stina Sandberg, scoring her sixth goal of the season, gaining Merrimack the opening 1-0 advantage.
• Vermont bounced back in the second period, scoring an equalizing goal 5:25 into the second frame when Stella Retrum fed Kaylee Lewis on an offensive rush. Lewis elected to pin a shot to the glove side of Lauren Lyons, scoring her fifth goal of the season to knot the score at 1-1.
• The Catamounts gained the lead 11:17 into the second period as a Vermont powerplay was expiring, seeing Julia Mesplède send a pass to Lauren O'Hara who was parked in front of the net, using her backhand to one touch pass the puck to Havana backdoor, wasting no time burying her sixth goal of the season, earning Vermont the 2-1 advantage a little over halfway through the middle frame.
• Havana scored her second goal of the game just 2:06 into the third period to give Vermont a 3-1 lead. Ashley Kokavec fed Havana on an offensive rush where Havana elected to shoot low blocker side, beating Lyons for the second time, scoring her seventh goal on the campaign to put the Catamounts in front, 3-1.
• It seemed like the Catamounts scored two minutes later on the powerplay when Mesplède was able to put the puck across the goal line amidst numerous Merrimack defenders diving all over the crease, but it was determined that the goal was punched in with a hand, so the goal was waved off and Vermont maintained the 3-1 lead with just under 16 minutes left of regulation.
• A penalty on Vermont with 2:35 remaining in regulation gave Merrimack the opportunity for a six-on-four advantage, but Rose-Marie Brochu tamed the Warrior push by scoring an empty net goal with 1:46 remaining in regulation, ultimately sealing the deal and earning Vermont the 4-1 road victory to begin the weekend series with Merrimack.

 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Havana scored two goals against Merrimack, her first career multi-goal game, sixth and seventh goals on the season.
• Mesplède recorded two assists on Saturday, her second career multi-assist game.
• O'Hara played in her 100th career game, registering one assist and two shots on goal. It's O'Hara's ninth assist on the season.
• Lewis scored her fifth goal of the season to go along with five shots on goal.
• Brochu netted her second goal of the season while winning a game high 14 faceoffs and earning a game high +3 +/- rating.
• Kokavec tallied a game high six shots on goal while recording one assist.
• Brooke George had one assist against Merrimack, her second helper of the season.
• Retrum notched one assist and four shots on goal.
• Cliche recorded 19 total saves in her third straight victory between the pipes.
• Lawrence secured her first career assist on Saturday against the Warriors. 
• Vermont scored their first shorthanded goal of the season on Friday.
• UVM outshot Merrimack 44-20, including 20 shots on goal in the second period.
• Vermont won 34 faceoffs to Merrimack's 26.
• With today's Win, Vermont Mutual Insurance Group will donate $100 to the Ronald McDonald House through the Cat's Win, Community Win's initiative. Vermont Mutual has donated over $6 Million Dollars since launching their Charitable Giving Fund in 2014.
• With tonight's 4-1 decision, Community Bank N.A. will donate $200 to Special Olympics Vermont. Community Bank, N.A. donates $50 per goal to Special Olympics Vermont for every goal the men's and women's team scores this season.

 
UP NEXT
Following Friday's win over Merrimack, the Catamounts will look to close out their weekend series with Merrimack, returning to action tomorrow afternoon for a 3 p.m. puck drop from the Conte Forum in Chestnut Hill, MA. 
 
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