FINAL SCORE: Vermont 2, UConn 1
STORRS, Conn. – Sydney Scobee's 27-save performance combined with power play goals from Mackenzie MacNeil and Saana Valkama lifted the Vermont Catamounts over conference opponent UConn 2-1 on Saturday in Hockey East Action at the Freitas Ice Forum.

UVM improves to 1-1-0 (1-1-0 WHEA), while the Huskies fall to 1-2-0 (0-1-0 WHEA). 
 
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"I'm very proud of what we were able to accomplish today," said head coach Jim Plumer. "We learned what we needed from last week and the players made big improvements this week and it showed today. Credit to Sydney Scobee for a great performance in her first Hockey East game and four our power play units for being opportunistic."

The Huskies came out quickly, scoring a goal 2:14 into the game. Senior forward Leah Lum put Connecticut on the board early with Briana Colangelo and Kayla Mee picking up assists.
 
The Catamounts were penalized early in the second period, allowing UConn to set up on the power play. The Huskies had several chances to increase their lead, but Scobee made a pair of terrific saves to keep the home team at bay.
 
Minutes later, Vermont was awarded a power play opportunity. Alyssa Gorecki and the Catamounts established control in the UConn zone, producing several quality scoring chances. With time expiring in the man-advantage, Daria O'Neil slapped a shot toward the UConn goal which was deflected by Gorecki, fooling Huskies' goaltender Annie Belanger. MacNeill was waiting to the right of Belanger where she buried the rebound to tie the game with 10:49 left in the middle frame.
 
The power play unit continued to roll for Vermont as it struck again five minutes later. The Catamounts set up in the offensive zone with Kristina Shanahan handling the puck on the half-wall. Shanahan dished a pass to Valkama in the corner where she collected the puck and charged to the net before lifting a shot over the blocker of Belanger to put the Catamounts up 2-1. Taylor Flaherty was credited with the secondary assist on the go-ahead goal.
 
UVM held off a seven-shot push in the third period by the Huskies with the help of key saves by Scobee. Several quick stops in front of the Catamount net with 6:21 left in the third period helped to kill off a promising power play opportunity for UConn.
 
Scobee's best save of the game came with 5:12 left in regulation. UConn forward Natalie Snodgrass surged past Vermont defenders and darted in on a breakaway against Scobee. The Catamounts' netminder took away any angle the forward had and kicked away Snodgrass' tying attempt.
 
The Green and Gold fought off the final scoring attempts by the Huskies to clinch their first win of the season.
 
Vermont returns to action Tuesday (Oct. 10) at Gutterson Fieldhouse as it hosts Union for the 2017-18 home opener at 6 p.m.
 
The Windjammer and Upper Deck Pub is the presenting sponsor of the 2017-18 women's hockey season