BURLINGTON, Vt. – Providence sophomore Hope Walinski posted a 30-save shutout Wednesday night from Gutterson Fieldhouse as the Friars defeated Vermont 1-0 in the Hockey East Semifinals to advance to the Hockey East Championship for the eighth time in program history. The Friars will face Northeastern in the title game which will air live on ESPNU Saturday at noon.

RELATED LINKS
Box Score
CatamounTV: Highlights | Postgame
Photo Gallery
 
COACH'S QUOTE
"First of all thank you to our great fans who came out to support us and make this the best atmosphere in women's college hockey in the east," Head Coach Jim Plumer said. " Just a heartbreaking outcome for us tonight. Our team left it all out there on the ice and we were a fraction of an inch from the tying goal at the end. Credit to Providence and especially they goalie for an outstanding game. I want to thank our graduating players who have transformed our program on and off the ice. They have a lot to be proud of. Theresa Schafzahl, Sini Karjalainen, Ellice Murphy, Alex Gray, Corinne McCool, Lilly Holmes, Cam Morrissey and Tynka Pátková will be missed more than words can say."

HOW IT HAPPENED

• In a back and forth first period the Catamounts had the best opportunities of the opening 20 in the final seconds. On a two-on-two rush Walinski made a diving save on Vermont's Natálie Mlýnková and then while down on the play she made another save as Theresa Schafzahl looked to tuck home the rebound.
• During the second period the Catamounts spent several long stretches in the Providence zone. Walinski made 11 saves in the period keeping Vermont off the board.
• With three minutes to go in the second period Delaney Couture scored the only goal of the game. Couture carried the puck into the Vermont zone and as she was cutting into the slot fired a shot towards the net. Her initial shot was blocked by a UVM defender but it came right back to her. She quickly fired again and the puck bounced off pipe twice before crossing the line for her fifth goal of the season.
• The Friars maintained their defensive structure throughout the third period holding onto its lead. Vermont's best chance came in the final minute with Jessie McPherson pulled for an extra attacker.
• With 31 seconds to play Sini Karjalainen found Schafzahl along the boards. Schafzahl fired a hard-low shot towards the net and Lilly Humphrey was able to put the rebound back on net. Humphrey beat Walinski on the play but Providence's Sara Hjalmarsson was able to pull puck off the goal line just in time. A portion of the puck crossed the line, but not entirely. Following the end of regulation, the officials reviewed the play and upheld the call of no goal on the ice.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Wednesday's attendance at Gutterson Fieldhouse was 1,251, the most of any Hockey East school in the 2023 Women's Tournament. No other school has topped 700. The
• Jessie McPherson has given up one goal or fewer in all seven of her career games against Providence.
• Tonight, was the first time the Catamounts have been shutout since November 12, 2021.

The Windjammer Inn and Conference Center is the presenting sponsor of the UVM women's hockey program