WOMEN'S HOCKEY NOTEBOOK
University of Vermont women's hockey wraps up the preseason on Friday night (Sept. 29) with a 6 p.m. rendezvous against McGill at Gutterson Fieldhouse. After that, the Catamounts open up the regular season and jump right into Hockey East play, facing Providence on the road at 2 p.m. on Sunday (Oct. 1).
 
Rob Ryan will man play-by-play duties on Friday evening on Stretch Internet and live video with subscription will be available for the Providence matchup via College Sports Live. In addition, complimentary live stats will be available for both contests.
 
RELATED LINKS
McGill: Video | Live Stats | Tickets
Providence: Video | Live Stats

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CATAMOUNTS RECAP
The Green and Gold marked the start of their preseason slate last Sunday (Sept. 24) with a 2-2 draw against Montréal at Gutterson Fieldhouse. Allie Granato and Sammy Kolowrat each scored for the Catamounts, but the visitors from Québec used a pair of their own in the second period to bring the score even for the remainder of the day.
 
Each UVM goalie saw game action, with Melissa Black (5 saves) making the start, Sierra Natzke (11 saves) playing the second period and Sydney Scobee (2 saves) taking the Catamounts home from the following stanza.
 
A LOOK BACK AT 2016-17
The 2016-17 campaign was one to remember for Vermont, which reached the Hockey East Semifinals for the second time in program history and rallied to advance past Providence in the league quarterfinals after facing elimination. The Catamounts also earned three wins over ranked opponents, a first for the program.
 
On an individual level, sophomore forward Ève-Audrey Picard was named to the Hockey East All-Rookie Team, while former Catamount goalie Madison Litchfield and senior defenseman Taylor Willard picked up Hockey East Second Team All-Star recognition. In addition, Litchfield and Willard earned similar accolades from the New England Hockey Writers Association. The organization also named head coach Jim Plumer the New England Division I Women's Coach of the Year.
 
ABOUT McGILL
McGill makes the trip down from Montréal with a 3-1-0 record after winning the Queen's Invitational Tournament in Ontario last weekend. The Martlets knocked off Western University on Sept. 22 before topping host Queen's on Sept. 23.
 
At this early juncture Jade Downie-Landry has a team-best eight points on six goals plus two assists, helping the squad average 3.8 goals per game. Three different goaltenders have seen time between the pipes, primarily Tricia Dequire (3.43 GAA).
 
Longtime head coach Peter Smith is in his 18th season on the McGill bench, capturing over 470 wins in that span.
 
ABOUT PROVIDENCE
Picked fourth in the Hockey East Preseason Poll, the Friars will visit Union on Friday evening (Sept. 29) before welcoming Vermont to Schneider Arena. Of the team's top-10 scorers a year ago, nine return, including senior captain Brooke Boquist (18-14-32). Madison Myers is also back in goal after posting a 2.85 GAA last season and a .899 save percentage. Seven freshmen head to the Ocean State as part of the Class of 2021.
 
In 2016-17, at least one Friar was among the top-10 in Hockey East in each scoring category.
 
Head coach Bob Deraney is in his 19th season directing the Friars and is the winningest head coach in Hockey East. He played his collegiate hockey in 1980s under Jack Parker at Boston University, guiding the Terriers between the pipes and helping the team to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances.
 
INSIDE THE SERIES
The Catamounts have crossed paths with McGill each of the last three seasons, last earning a win on Oct. 24, 2012 in Burlington. Last season the Martlets came away victorious in overtime at the Gut, battling back from a third period deficit that culminated with Lea Dumais' tally with 2:09 left in the extra session.
 
Fans will recall that Vermont and Providence met in last year's Hockey East Quarterfinals, with the Catamounts battling back to take the series in three games and advance to the league semifinals at Walter Brown Arena. All-time, the Friars do have the upper hand by a 27-15-3 margin.
 
CATAMOUNTS HOST HOCKEY MEDIA DAY
On Wednesday (Sept. 27), the Vermont men's and women's hockey programs welcomed members of the media to Gutterson Fieldhouse to discuss the fast-approaching 2017-18 slate. Click here for a recap of the afternoon.
 
LEADERSHIP GROUP UNVEILED
Willard will don the 'C' and captain the Catamounts during her senior season, while juniors Alyssa Gorecki and Sammy Kolowrat will serve as assistant captains in 2017-18.
 
WELCOME TO VERMONT!
The Green and Gold have added eight newcomers to the team this season, a group that is composed of seven true freshmen plus one transfer in Taylor Flaherty. Flaherty is immediately eligible to play for two seasons; in 39 career games on the North Dakota blue line she notched a goal plus an assist.
 
Others in the Class of 2021 include Val Caldwell, Greta Close, Anna Erickson, Alyssa Holmes, Olivia Kilberg, Sierra Natzke and Kristina Shanahan.
 
CATAMOUNTS ANNOUNCE STAFF ADDITIONS
This past summer, Vermont welcomed four new members of its coaching and support staff. Jess Koizumi has joined the program as associate head coach and Josh Liegl was named assistant coach. Assisting in a hockey operations capacity is Josh Graser, while Tyler Potter will manage the team's equipment needs on a daily basis.
 
NEXT UP
The Catamounts visit UConn on Sunday, Oct. 7 in a 2 p.m. matchup from Storrs, Connecticut.

FOLLOW THE #VCATS
Fans can follow the Catamounts all across social media for the latest news, updates and inside looks around the program. On Facebook, search for UVM Women's Hockey. On Twitter and Instagram, follow the Green and Gold using the handle @UVMwhockey.

The Windjammer and Upper Deck Pub is the presenting sponsor of the 2017-18 women's hockey season