FINAL SCORE: Vermont 2, Holy Cross 1
WORCESTER, Mass. – Maude Poulin-Labelle tallied two points, including the game-winning goal, as the Vermont Catamounts (8-17-4, 6-14-2 WHEA) were victorious against the Holy Cross Crusaders (1-25-3, 1-21-1 WHEA) Sunday afternoon at Hart Center.
 
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Box Score

COACH'S QUOTE
"We did enough to win today and for that we are certainly pleased," said head coach Jim Plumer. "But we can be so much better and we have to be going forward."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Melissa Black (22 saves) and the Catamounts withstood the Holy Cross attack in the opening minutes as they fired five unanswered shots against the UVM goaltender. Black made some huge saves early on, most notably when she kicked away Katie MacCuaig's shot from point-blank.
• Vermont took a 1-0 lead when Alyssa Gorecki notched her seventh goal of the season on the power play. The senior captain received a pass from Poulin-Labelle and cut around the top of the circle before wiring a wrist shot past Jada Brenon (21 saves) with 13:06 left in the first period.
• Poulin-Labelle doubled the lead with 1:27 left in the opening frame when she recovered a loose puck in the high slot and quickly whistled a shot under the blocker of the Holy Cross netminder.
• The Catamounts had several chances in the second period to extend the lead to three, but Brenon made some key saves to keep her team within two goals. Kristina Shanahan dropped a pass to Saana Valkama as the two Cats neared the goal, but Valkama's shot was swallowed up by the Crusaders' goalie.
• With 5:58 left in the third period, Vermont thought it had a goal when Ali O'Leary drove hard to the net and Poulin-Labelle buried the rebound. Unfortunately, the goal was waved off instantaneously as O'Leary was penalized for charging the goalie.
• Another Vermont penalty shortly after gave the Crusaders a lengthy 5-on-3 power play. Holy Cross capitalized on the advantage when Danielle Doherty tapped in a rebound with 4:33 left in regulation to cut the lead in half.
• Gorecki drew a tripping penalty with 1:54 left in the game to kill the Crusaders' momentum and seal the UVM victory.
• With the victory, the Cats Win, Community Wins campaign and Vermont Mutual Insurance Group will donate $100 to Make-A-Wish Vermont; bringing this year's total to 25 wins and $2,500.

WHAT'S NEXT
The Catamounts return to action Friday (Feb. 8) for the beginning of a two-game road series against the UConn Huskies. The series opening game is slated for a 3 p.m. start at Freitas Ice Forum.
 
The Windjammer and Upper Deck Pub is the presenting sponsor of the 2018-19 women's hockey season