Final Score: Vermont 3, Providence 1
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Junior forward Bridget Baker scored her third game-winning goal in as many games against Providence 7:36 into the third period as the Catamounts defeated the Friars 3-1 Saturday afternoon in their Hockey East opener at Schneider Arena.
 
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Highlights
 
After a scoreless first period Dayna Colang opened the scoring for the Catamounts 47 seconds into the second frame. Taylor Willard fired a shot on net from the point and Colang was able to redirect it past Providence's Madison Myers for her second goal of the season.
 
Baker made it a two-goal lead early in the third period with the Catamounts first power play goal of the season. Baker one-timed a pass from Saana Valkama and with Mackenzie MacNeil providing a screen in front of Myers her shot found the back of the net for her second goal of the year. Valkama and fellow freshman Daria O'Neill picked up their first collegiate points with an assist on the power play tally.
 
With 7:24 left in the third period the Friars cut the Vermont lead in half with a strong individual effort from Kate Friesen. Friesen intercepted a Vermont pass in the neutral zone and skated into the Vermont end before blasting a slap shot past the Catamounts Molly Depew for her second goal of the season.
 
After Providence's tally they had back-to-back power play opportunities to search for an equalizer. Depew made a couple of her eight third period saves to preserve the Catamounts advantage. With 43 seconds left in regulation Victoria Andreakos put the game away with an unassisted empty-net goal.
 
The Catamounts win this afternoon was the 200^th of head coach Jim Plumer's career. 42 of Plumer's wins have come at Vermont. His 41 wins in his first three years broke the school record for wins in a three-year span by 16.
 
"It was great for all of us to finally put together 60 solid minutes," said Plumer. "We were solid defensively and Molly Depew played really well. We still are leaving some goals out there on the table so I'm hoping we can continue to improve our offense game by game."
 
The Catamounts return to action tomorrow afternoon as they travel to No. 10 Boston University for their second Hockey East contest of the season. Faceoff is set for 3 p.m., fans can watch a pay-per-view stream at GoTerriers.com.
 
NOTES: The Catamounts blocked a season-high 17 shots … Kourtney Menches, Rachael Ade, and Katherine Pate were tied for the team lead with three … Victoria Andreakos led all skaters with five shots on goal … Vermont is now 7-0-1 in its last eight games against Providence … Vermont has now won its last five Hockey East openers, including all four under Coach Plumer.