FINAL SCORE: Vermont 1, Holy Cross 3
WORCESTER, MA. – Vermont (7-23-2, 6-17-2 HE) women's hockey fell 3-1 to Holy Cross (10-18-3, 6-16-3 HE) on Sunday evening from the Hart Center, seeing the Crusaders secure the series sweep over the Catamounts in Vermont's last two away matchups of the regular season. Julia Mesplède tallied a goal for UVM late in the third period, cutting the lead in half, but the comeback was cut short after a Crusader empty netter sent the Catamounts home for a chance to rebound next weekend against the Huskies.
 
RELATED LINKS
Box Score
 
COACH'S QUOTE
"First credit to Holy Cross for playing at playoff intensity all weekend and earning the wins," said Head Coach Jim Plumer. "We played a much better game today but again couldn't solve their goalie who had an outstanding weekend. We've got to regroup and be ready for the final regular season weekend and hope we can maintain our playoff positioning in eighth place."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Vermont started action firing six straight shots on net, seemingly catching all momentum, but Holy Cross ultimately found the back of the net 9:11 into the opening period thanks to Lulu Rourke scoring her fourth goal of the season on the Crusaders first shot of the game, putting the Catamounts behind by one, 1-0.
• The Crusaders doubled their lead with just 1:41 remaining in a back-and-forth second period. Reghan Chadwick scored her second goal of the weekend, earning Holy Cross a 2-0 advantage with the final frame quickly approaching.
• In a third period seeing UVM outshoot Holy Cross 14-4, the Catamounts found the back of the net with an extra attacker, scoring with 1:02 of gametime remaining. Mesplede netted her second goal of the season, burying the rebound off Oona Havana's shot, cutting the deficit in half, 2-1. Rose-Marie Brochu was awarded a secondary assist on the Catamount goal.
• Rourke tucked in an empty net goal with six seconds on the clock, her second goal of the game, securing Holy Cross the 3-1 victory on home ice.

 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Mesplede scored her second goal of the season in her second game back with UVM since her return from the Olympic Qualifiers. Mesplede recorded a point in two of the three matchups with Holy Cross this season.
• Brochu recorded one assist vs Holy Cross, her eighth helper on the year.
• Havana tallied one assist against the Crusaders, her fourth on the campaign.
• Lara Beecher tied her season high seven shots on net, overall taking 19 shots in the three games against Holy Cross this season.
• Evelyne Blais-Savoie won 13 faceoffs, a game high.
• Vermont won 31 faceoffs to Holy Cross' 20.
• UVM outshot the Crusaders 30-19.

 
UP NEXT
Vermont returns home for the final weekend series of the regular season, gearing up to face Northeastern on Friday (Feb. 21) and. Saturday (Feb. 22). Friday's puck drop is slated for 2 p.m. Saturday will be Senior Day presented by MVP Health Care with puck drop scheduled for 1:35 p.m. from Gutterson Fieldhouse. All the action will be broadcast 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