FINAL SCORE: Vermont 2, Merrimack 3
BURLINGTON, Vt. – Vermont (0-4-0, 0-2-0 HEA) secured two second period goals to knot the score halfway through the game, but a late second period power play goal from Merrimack (2-2-0, 2-1-0 HEA) was the difference as the Warriors skated away with the win on Saturday afternoon from Gutterson Fieldhouse.
 
RELATED LINKS
Box Score | Box Score (.pdf)
 
COACH'S QUOTE 
"Obviously this wasn't the result we were looking for," said Head Coach Jim Plumer. "We've got work to do in all areas and I know it starts with me and the rest of the staff. Merrimack played tough and we are just going to work towards being better."

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Warriors earned the opening goal with 3:36 left in the first frame thanks to Rachel Bjorgan scoring on the powerplay, giving Merrimack the 1-0 lead.
• Merrimack doubled its lead 1:20 into the second frame when Madison Cardaci buried an even strength goal, elevating the Warriors lead, 2-0.
• Vermont bounced back thanks to Alaina Tanski applying pressure on the Warriors defense, causing a turnover that allowed her to break free for a breakaway. Tanski sniped her shot under the glove of the goalkeeper securing her first goal of the season, sixth in her career.
• The Catamounts tied it up with 6:54 remaining in the second period when Kyla Bent sent the puck to Evelyne Blais-Savoie on the breakout, proceeding to execute a give-and-go passing play with Lara Beecher, putting the puck on net where Blais-Savoie was there to cash in on her second goal of the season, knotting the score, 2-2.
• A penalty on Vermont gave Merrimack a power play with 1:25 remaining in the second period. The Warriors answered, scoring with 35 seconds remaining in the period to regain the lead, 3-2.
• After a scoreless final period, Merrimack was able to secure the 3-2 win from Gutterson Fieldhouse.

 
INSDIE THE BOX SCORE

• Blais-Savoie notched her second goal of the season vs Merrimack, her 26th career goal. Blais-Savoie also won 10 of the 14 faceoffs she took on Saturday evening.
• Tanski tallied her first goal of the season to go along with two shots on net.
• Beecher recorded one assist vs the Warriors. Beecher has earned a point in all four games so far this season.
• Bent also recorded one assist, her second game in a row tallying an assist.
• Vermont won 28 of the 41 faceoffs on Saturday evening.

 
UP NEXT
Vermont will stay home, welcoming ECAC foe, St. Lawrence, to Gutterson Fieldhouse for a two-game series next weekend. Puck drop is set for 6 p.m. on Friday (Oct. 18) and 2 p.m. for Saturday (Oct. 19) as Vermont prepares for the non-conference matchup. Friday's game vs the Saints will be Vermont's annual Rally Around Mental Health game presented by Redstone. Catch all the action live on ESPN+ with Rob Ryan on the call.
 
For news and updates about the Vermont women's hockey program, follow @UVMwhockey on Instagram, X, and Facebook, and visit UVMathletics.com.
 
The Windjammer Inn and Conference Center is the presenting sponsor of the UVM women's hockey program