FINAL SCORE: Vermont 3, Concordia 1
BURLINGTON, Vt. – Vermont women's hockey got off to a hot start to begin the 2026-27 season, scoring UVM's first goal in 24 seconds before ultimately defeating Concordia 3-1 on Saturday afternoon from Gutterson Fieldhouse during the team's lone exhibition game to begin the 2026-27 campaign.
RELATED LINKS
Box Score
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COACH'S QUOTE
"That was a good first game for us to get going after only 10 practices," said Head Coach
Jim Plumer. "Concordia is a strong team, and it really helped us to get off to a good start. What we really wanted from this game was to get some experience and learn as much as we can about ourselves to get ready for the season. I think we accomplished that. Now, we have two weeks to prepare for a very strong Minnesota Duluth team."
HOW IT HAPPENED
- It took the Catamounts 24 second to open scoring against Concordia. A hard forecheck from Kaylee Lewis, Stella Retrum, and Lauren O'Hara resulted in Vermont stealing the puck in Concordia's zone. O'Hara found Retrum in the slot who used a backhand to find Lewis across the crease who buried the opening goal for UVM, taking a 1-0 lead.
- Vermont doubled their lead while on the powerplay 5:10 into the first period when O'Hara and Lewis worked the puck up to Josie Hemp who took a couple strides towards the middle and unleashed a wrist shot to the back bar, earning the Catamounts a 2-0 advantage.
- After a scoreless second frame, it seemed the Stingers were able to get a goal back with 10:10 on the scoreboard in the final period, seeing Emilie Lussier go five-hole on the Catamounts goaltender, but the goal was further reviewed, deemed offside as Vermont maintained the 2-0 lead.
- The Catamounts extended their lead to 3-0 courtesy first-year Gracesyn Louis scoring on the backhand after Cecilia DesLauriers won the faceoff to Mya Lawrence. Lawrence found Louis on the far side who reached around the Stinger goaltender's pad, putting the puck in the back of the net to give Vermont the three-goal cushion with 6:20 remaining in regulation.
- Concordia managed to score while having an empty net, getting a goal from Juliette Leroux with 3:08 on the clock, but the damaged was already done as the Catamounts skated away with the 3-1 exhibition win from Gutterson Fieldhouse.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Lewis (1g, 1a) and O'Hara (2a) each notched a game high two points.
- Hemp recorded one goal while Vermont was on the powerplay.
- Louis scored during her first time in the Green and Gold.
- Retrum, DesLauriers and Lawrence all registered one assist.
- Oona Havana led a game high four shots on goal.
- Ellie Simmons, Lily Prendergast, and Tara Bach all played one period, combining for 20 total saves.
- UVM blocked 12 shots to Concordia's five.
- With today's Win, Vermont Mutual Insurance Group will donate $100 to the Ronald McDonald House through the Cat's Win, Community Win's initiative. Vermont Mutual has donated over $6.4 Million Dollars since launching their Charitable Giving Fund.
UP NEXT
Following the exhibition win over Concordia, the Catamounts now prepare for their opening regular season series, welcoming No. 9 Minnesota Duluth to Gutterson Fieldhouse for a pair of games starting on Friday (Oct. 2) at 11 a.m. and Saturday (Oct. 3) at 1 p.m. Friday's contest against the Bulldogs will be the team's Catamount Classroom Game presented by Community Bank. Both games will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
Women's Hockey Alumnae are invited back November 6-7 to Gutterson and Burlington for an Alumnae Weekend around Pack the Gut, including two games, an alumnae game and family skate and an alumnae gathering at What Ales You! Please register at
go.uvm.edu/wihalum.
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
