FINAL SCORE: Vermont 2, Dartmouth 1
HANOVER, N.H. – Vermont (8-12-2, 2-7-1 HEA) secured the weekend sweep of Dartmouth (4-12-2, 2-6-2 ECAC) on Saturday evening from Thompson Arena, concluding non-conference action for the regular season, defeating the Big Green 2-1 behind goals from Stella Retrum and Lauren O'Hara. First year goaltender Zoe Cliche made 26 total saves en route her second straight victory getting the nod in net.
 
RELATED LINKS
Box Score
 
COACH'S QUOTE
"Really proud of our team for stringing together two really good games this weekend and coming out with the sweep," said Head Coach Jim Plumer. "Again, the Dartmouth goalie was excellent, and we found a way to solve her twice and Zoe Cliche and our team defense took care of the rest. Credit to out penalty kill for not allowing a goal in four attempts. I'm excited for our team to get some confidence to take back into Hockey East play next weekend."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• After nearly 18 minutes of scoreless hockey to begin the game, it was the Big Green that got scoring started first with just 1:30 remaining in the opening period, seeing Shae Messner poke the puck through the crease and over the goal line through numerous bodies scrambling around the net, scoring her fourth goal of the season to give Dartmouth a 1-0 lead.
• Vermont responded immediately, scoring an equalizer goal just 29 seconds later when Retrum carried the puck into the Dartmouth zone, cutting towards the boards finding an open Natalie Zarcone at the point. Zarcone unleashed a shot on net, finding the stick of O'Hara who tipped in her third goal of the season, knotting the score at 1-1 with 61 seconds left in the first period.
• Similar to the end of the first period, the Catamounts doubled their lead with just over one minute remaining in the second frame, seeing Anna Podein set up Kaylee Lewis and Retrum on a two-on-one rush. Lewis dished a pass over to Retrum who snapped a shot to the back of the net, scoring her seventh goal of the season, gaining Vermont the 2-1 lead with 1:12 on the clock.
• Vermont was successfully able to kill off Dartmouth's lone powerplay in the third period, seeing Cliche make seven saves throughout the entirety of the final frame as the Catamounts were able to sustain the 2-1 lead as the final buzzer rang, skating away with the road victory to conclude regular season non-conference action.   

 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Retrum scored her seventh goal of the season while adding one assist, the third time this season notching a goal and an assist in the same game. Retrum now has five career goals against Dartmouth.
• Retrum also tied a season high tallying six shots on goal, a game high on Saturday.
• O'Hara scored her third goal of the season to go along with two shots on goal, five faceoff wins, and one blocked shot.
• Zarcone recorded her fifth assist on the campaign, a new career high. Zarcone also had three shots on goal and one blocked shot.
• Podein tallied her second assist of the season, 13th career helper.
• Lewis registered one assist against Dartmouth, her sixth of the season.
• Rose-Marie Brochu won a game-high 14 faceoffs on Saturday.
• Cliche made 26 total saves en route her fifth win of the season.
• Vermont is 6-0 this season when leading after two periods of play.
• UVM is 5-3 in one goal games this season.
• Vermont successfully killed off all four of Dartmouth powerplay opportunities.
• UVM out shot Dartmouth 29-27.
• The Catamounts blocked 16 shots to the Big Green's 13.
• With today'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 tonight's 2-1 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
Following the weekend sweep of Dartmouth, the Catamounts get one week to prepare for another road trip, traveling down to North Andover, MA for a road weekend series against conference foe, Merrimack. Friday (Jan. 9) has a puck drop slated for 6 p.m. while on Saturday (Jan. 10) puck drop is scheduled for 2 p.m. All the action will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
 
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