Final Score: Vermont 3, Providence 2 | Box Score
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Madison Litchfield made 41 saves Sunday afternoon as Vermont defeated Providence 3-2 in Hockey East action at Schneider Arena. With the win the Catamounts clinched the 7-seed in the Hockey East quarterfinals, Vermont will face Boston U. in a best-of-three series next weekend.
 
Amanda Pelkey opened the scoring for the Catamounts 10:43 into the first period on a two-on-one rush. Pelkey was looking to shoot the whole way and beat Allie Morse with a quick wrist shot for her 13^th goal of the season. Dayna Colang and Sarah Campbell were credited with assists on the even strength tally.
 
Just 12 seconds later the Friars equalized as Lauren Klein scored her first goal of the season with a well-placed point shot. Litchfield never saw Klein's shot through a maze of traffic in front of the net. It was Klein, who transferred from RIT's first goal as a Friar. Haley Frade and Cassidy Carels assisted on Klein's game-tying goal.
 
Victoria Andreakos reestablished Vermont's lead 4:50 into the second period. Delia McNally won a puck battle behind the net and centered a behind the back pass to Andreakos who tapped it in to an empty net before Morse could follow the play. Casey Leveillee picked up the second assist on Andreakos' fourth goal of the season.
 
Bridget Baker added an insurance marker for the Catamounts 8:35 into the third period on the power play. From the point Sarah Campbell faked a shot and fed a pass down low to Baker. Baker fired a centering feed and it deflected off Morse's leg and in for her second goal of the weekend series. With Baker's goal Vermont has scored a power play goal in its last nine games.
 
With three minutes left in the third period Providence pulled Morse for an extra-attacker. The Friars made it 3-2 off an offensive zone faceoff with 2:27 left in the third period. Brooke Simpson won the faceoff back to Allison Micheletti and she fired a point shot that Brittney Thunstrom deflected right in front of the net past Litchfield for her third goal of the season.
 
Providence called its timeout with 1:30 left in regulation and pulled their goalie again for an extra-attacker. Vermont's defensive pressure stifled the Friars comeback attempt and they didn't get another shot on goal.

"Another gritty win for us today," said head coach Jim Plumer. "We got fantastic performances from Madison Litchfield and our corps of four defenseman who played tough, hard-nosed defense all weekend. Bridget Baker had a great weekend as well with two game-winning goals. It feels good to end the regular season with a sweep and we are on to the playoffs."

Next weekend Vermont will travel to No. 6 Boston for the best-of-three Hockey East quarterfinals. Game one between the Catamounts and the Terriers will be at 5 p.m. Friday night followed by game two at 3 p.m. on Saturday. If necessary game three will be played at 3 p.m. on Sunday.
 
It will be the first time in program history the Catamounts will face the Terriers in a playoff game. Over the last two seasons Vermont has won three of its last five games against Boston U.
 
NOTES: Vermont is now 10-2-1 in the month of February over the last two seasons, including five wins against Providence … Amanda Pelkey has scored four goals and seven assists in 10 career games against the Friars … The Catamounts are 6-0-1 in their last seven games against Providence.