BURLINGTON, Vt. – First year goaltender Zoe Cliche made 18 saves earning her second career shutout and propelling Vermont to a 1-0 win over Dartmouth College Friday night in non-conference action from Gutterson Fieldhouse.

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COACH'S QUOTE
"Really solid performance for us and great to get a win to get the second half started," said Head Coach Jim Plumer. "Hats off to Dartmouth's goalie as she really stymied what I thought was a strong offensive performance from us. On our end, Zoe Cliche was perfect in net and excited for her to start the second semester with her second career shutout. It will be a good test for us to go down to Dartmouth tomorrow and put together another good 60 minutes."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Vermont opened the scoring 4:57 into the first period on a breakaway goal from Julia Mesplède. Rose-Marie Brochu threaded a breakout pass through three Big Green skaters to send Mesplède in alone. She faked a wrist shot and then as she moved laterally slid it through the legs of Dartmouth's Michaela Hesová. Mesplède's sixth goal of the season was also assisted by Brooke George.
• The Catamounts appeared to double their advantage late in the second period. Lauren O'Hara stashed home a rebound on a backhand shot with 1:31 to play in the middle frame. However, after review by the officials, it was deemed that Kaylee Lewis interfered with Hesová on the play and it was disallowed.
• No goals were scored for the remainder of the game as the Catamounts were able to hold onto the one goal advantage, seeing Cliche make six saves down the stretch, securing her second career shutout and earning Vermont the 1-0 home victory.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Julia Mesplède's game-winning goal was her second career game-winner. She also notched the decider on October 18 against St. Anselm.
• Brochu notched one assist, her team-high tenth on the season.
• George tallied her first assist of the season, her third career helper.
• Lewis had eight shots on goal, a new career high.
• With tonight's win the Catamounts have won their first game of the calendar year with a shutout in five of the last six years.
• Over the last six years Vermont has outscored its opponent 19-5 in the first game of the calendar year.
• With tonight's Win, Vermont Mutual Insurance Group will donate $100 to the Lund Family Center through the Cat's Win, Community Win's initiative. Vermont Mutual has donated over $5 Million Dollars since launching their Charitable Giving Fund in 2014.
• With this evening's 1-0 decision, Community Bank N.A. will donate $50 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
Vermont and Dartmouth will complete their home-and-home series tomorrow afternoon in Hanover, N.H. The two rivals will face off at 4 p.m. from Thompson Arena. It is the Catamounts final non-conference game of the regular season. They are 4-5-1 outside of Hockey East this season. The action will air live on ESPN+.