FINAL SCORE: Vermont 3, Boston College 1
CHESTNUT HILL, MA. – Ellie Simmons anchored Vermont (16-16-5, 9-11-4 HEA) with 37 total saves against Boston College (16-18-1, 14-9-1 HEA) on Saturday afternoon from Kelley Rink at Conte Forum, as the Catamounts defeated the Eagles 3-1 in the Hockey East Women's Tournament Quarterfinals. With the win, the Catamounts will advance to their fifth Hockey East Semifinal appearance, earning the programs first ever victory over Boston College during the postseason.
 
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Box Score
 
COACH'S QUOTE
"What a great win for our entire program," said Head Coach Jim Plumer. "We played such a smart game, made the most of chances and did a great job defensively of shutting down BC's top players. I'm really happy for Ellie Simmons and the great game she played in net. Julia Mesplède ignited the offense, and we gutted out the win at the end. Again, there were so many great performances and we will look to bring the momentum to Tuesday's semifinal."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• After a scoreless first period that saw Vermont successfully kill a Boston College power play and Simmons make 14 total saves, the Catamounts struck first 14:15 into the second period when Anna Podein and Makena Lloyd-Howe connected on a pair of breakout passes, finding Julia Mesplède in the corner in the Eagle zone. Mesplède took an initial shot that got blocked, but stuck with the play, corralling the puck and maneuvering her way across the crease, beating Grace Campbell using her backhand to finish the play, scoring her ninth goal of the season to give Vermont the 1-0 lead.
• Just as time was expiring in the second period, Mesplède was able to steal the puck from an Eagle defender in the neutral zone, getting a shot on net in the Boston College zone that Campbell saved, but Oona Havana was there to bury the rebound to the back of the net, scoring her 14th goal of the season with just 11.9 second remaining in the middle frame, giving the Catamounts a 2-0 lead heading into the third period.
• The Eagles cut the deficit in half 11:16 into the third period, seeing Kate Ham score her 10th goal of the season, making the score 2-1 in favor of UVM.
• Kaylee Lewis nailed in an empty net goal with 1:23 remaining in regulation, scoring her 11th goal of the season, propelling Vermont to a 3-1 lead.
• Simmons made one more save down the stretch as BC applied offensive pressure, but the damage was done as the Catamounts skated away with the 3-1 road playoff win from Kelley Rink at Conte Forum, advancing to the Hockey East Women's Tournament Semifinals.

 
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Mesplède led a game high two points on one goal and one assist, her fifth multi-point game of the season and second consecutive multi-point game. Mesplède also had a team high five shots on goal.
• Simmons made 37 total saves en route UVM's 3-1 win at Boston College, posting a .974 save percentage, coming just two saves shy of tying her career high.
• Havana scored her team leading 14th goal of the season on Saturday, now having four total goals in her last two outings.
• Lewis notched her 11th goal on the campaign.
• Podein tallied on assist against BC, her fifth of the season, tying her career high total for a season. Podein now has a point in back-to-back games for the first time in her career.
• Rose-Marie Brochu extended her point streak to six games after recording one assist on Saturday at Boston College, her team leading 18th helper of the season. Brochu also registered a game high 11 faceoff wins, leading the conference in that department with 399 total wins on the season.
• Lloyd-Howe notched her fourth assist of the season to go along with one shot on goal.
• UVM will make its fifth Hockey East Semifinal appearance, all under Head Coach Jim Plumer.
• Today's win was Vermont's fourth ever Hockey East Quarterfinal win on the road.
• The Catamounts successfully killed both of Boston College's two power plays, now being a perfect 24-24 on the PK in their last seven outings.
• UVM blocked nine shots to BC's six.
• Vermont is 12-0-0 when leading after two periods.
• The Catamounts are 11-1-1 when scoring first.
• 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 3-1 decision, Community Bank N.A. will donate $150 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 Hockey East Quarterfinal win at Boston College, the Catamounts will get three days to prepare for the Hockey East Women's Tournament Semifinals taking place on Tuesday (Mar. 3) at 6 p.m.. Vermont will face the #1 Seed, Northeastern, from Walter Brown Arena. 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