FINAL SCORE (OT): Vermont 2, Maine 2
BURLINGTON, Vt. – Kaylee Lewis scored the shootout winner for Vermont (9-12-4, 3-7-3 HEA) against Maine (8-13-3, 4-7-3 HEA) on Friday night from Gutterson Fieldhouse as the Catamounts collected an extra conference point towards Hockey East team standings, doing so for the second game in a row. With the win, the Catamounts extend their unbeaten streak to five games, the longest streak since the historic 2022-23 campaign.
 
 
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COACH'S QUOTE
"Excellent college hockey game here tonight in all facets," said Head Coach Jim Plumer. "Maine is an excellent team, and I was really pleased with our compete level for the entire 65 minutes. Our special teams deserve a lot of credit tonight as our penalty kill really stepped up and limited Maine to no shots in three power play opportunities and our power play came up big with a goal in the second period. Zoe Cliche stood tall in net when we needed her, especially in overtime and during the shootout. And finally, Morgann Skoda and Kaylee Lewis put on a show in the shootout. It feels good to get the two points, but we are going to have to regroup and be ready for another tough battle tomorrow."
 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Catamounts pounced first 4:24 into the game when a failed breakout from Maine allowed Julia Mesplède to set up Josie Hemp on the far side of the ice, who then fed Oona Havana in front of the net. Havana used her backhand to bring the puck to her forward, snapping a shot over Kiia Lahtinen's glove side, scoring her ninth goal of the season, putting Vermont in front early, 1-0.
• Maine bounced back late in the opening frame, scoring with 1:56 remaining when Stephanie Jacob netted her fifth goal of the season, knotting the contest at 1-1 heading into the first intermission.
• Vermont regained the lead eight minutes into the middle frame, executing a five-on-three to perfection when Natalie Zarcone and Rose-Marie Brochu set up Mesplède on the far side, maneuvering her way to the slot where she unleashed a shot to the top left corner, securing her seventh goal of the season, earning the Catamounts a 2-1 advantage.
• The Black Bears didn't back down, scoring another equalizer goal 3:48, seeing Mackenzie Podewell display an incredible solo effort, netting her third goal on the campaign, knotting the game at 2-2.
• Following a scoreless third period that saw UVM outshoot Maine on goal 10 shots to three, the game was sent to overtime.
• Zoe Cliche stood her ground in the overtime period, making four crucial saves to keep the Black Bears off the board, ultimately sending the game into a shootout, the second game in a row for Vermont that went the distance.
• In the shootout, Vermont got goals from Morgann Skoda and Lewis while Cliche made four total saves, anchoring UVM to the shootout victory, earning the extra conference point towards Hockey East standings.

 
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Mesplède secured her fourth career multi-point game, third of the season, scoring a goal and an assist against Maine on Friday night. It's her seventh goal of the season and fifth helper.
• Havana added to her team leading goal total, scoring her ninth on the campaign against the Black Bears.
• Zarcone tallied her seventh assist of the season. Zarcone now has an assist in three of her last four games.
• Hemp notched her fifth assist of the season, earning a point in back-to-back games for the third time in her career.
• Brochu added to her team leading assist total, notching her 12th assist against Maine.
• Ashley Kokavec and Zarcone each led a game high three blocked shots, a season high for Zarcone.
• Lewis recorded a team high four shots on goal.
• Vermont scored a power play goal on Friday, the third time this year scoring a power play goal in back-to-back games.
• UVM successfully killed all three of Maine's power play opportunities and didn't concede a single shot on goal.
• Vermont outshot Maine 28-26.
• UVM tallied 13 blocked shots to Maine's nine.
• With tonight's 2-2 decision, Community Bank N.A. will donate $100 to Special Olympics Vermont. Community Bank, N.A. donates $50 per goal to Special Olympics Vermont for every goal the men's and women's team scores this season.

 
UP NEXT
The Catamounts will get set to defend home ice once again tomorrow (Jan. 17), wrapping up their weekend set against the Black Bears from Gutterson Fieldhouse. Saturday's contest is Vermont's Senior Day presented by the UVM Alumni Association with puck drop scheduled for 2 p.m. All the action will be streamed live on ESPN+ with Rob Ryan on the call.
 
Saturday's game against Maine will be senior day for four Catamounts. Anna Podein, Darci Matson, Julia Mesplède, and Sofie Skott are the four seniors who will be graduating in May 2026. Prior to the official puck drop, there will be a ceremony presented by the UVM Alumni Association at center ice to honor the four graduating seniors and graduate students.
 
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