STORRS, Conn. (October 6, 2006) – The University of Connecticut women’s hockey team opened the 2006-2007 season with an 8-2 win over Vermont, fueled by junior Jaclyn Hawkins (Manotick, Ontario) who had a hat trick with three goals and three assists on Friday night.

The Huskies (1-0-0) were first to get on the board when senior Natalie Visbert (Thunder Bay, Ontario) scored on a power play at 8:03. She was assisted by sophomore Kristen Russell (Dauphin, Man.) and sophomore Brianna Uliasz (Chalfont, Pa.). Not twenty seconds later did UConn strike again, this time with a goal from freshman Justine Cigna (Milford, Mich.), being assisted by junior Bridget King (Paxton, Mass.).

Still in the first period, freshman Cristin Allen (Pickering, Ont.) scored an unassisted goal on a power play at 10:25. The Huskies would score their fourth goal of the period behind Hawkins at 14:14, assisted by Russell and freshman Dominique Thibault (L’Original, Ont.).

The Catamounts got on the board at 18:57 in the first period with a goal from Chelsea Furlani.

Hawkins scored her second goal of the night in the second period at 3:40, assisted by Thibault. Vermont would strike back at 5:28 behind Gabrielle Worzella’s goal.

In the third period, Hawkins would score her last goal of the evening at 10:08 with a Thibault assist. Thibault would then get her first UConn career goal at 18:16, assisted by Russell and Hawkins. The final goal of the night came from Uliasz at 19:57, from Hawkins and Russell.

Sophomore goaltender Brittany Wilson finished the night with 13 saves.

UConn is back in action tomorrow afternoon against Vermont at 4 p.m.