LITCHFIELD, VERMONT SHUT OUT CONNECTICUT, 3-0
Freshman goaltender Madison Litchfield stops 24 shots for Catamounts

Delia McNally scored a goal for the Catamounts

BURLINGTON, Vt. - Freshman goaltender Madison Litchfield made 24 saves to pick up her first career shutout as the Catamounts defeated Connecticut 3-0 Friday night in Hockey East action at Gutterson Fieldhouse.

Vermont opened the scoring 2:09 into the second period on the power play. After winning the offensive zone faceoff Sarah Campbell passed across the blue line to Gina Repaci who directed a hard low shot at UConn goaltender Elaine Chuli. Chuli made the initial save but Delia McNally was on the doorstep to put home her fourth goal of the season.

The Catamounts extended their lead with 1:45 left in the second frame. Campbell hit Amanda Pelkey in stride with an outlet pass, Pelkey walked around a Huskies defender and rifled a backhand shot off the post and in for her team leading 16th goal of the season. Casey Leveillee earned the second assist on the play.

With the Huskies goaltender pulled late in the third period Brittany Zuback iced the game with her eighth goal of the season. Zuback's tally with 22 seconds left in regulation was assisted by Bridget Baker.

Litchfield made seven saves in the third period to close out her first career shutout. With the win Litchfield improved to 4-3-1 this season and picked up her first career Hockey East win.

"Great goaltending performance by Madison Litchfield, she was really focused, saw the puck well," said head coach Jim Plumer. "It was good for us to bury some pucks, we got a nice power play goal to get started and Pelkey had a great finish to a nice little faceoff play that we had. It's hard to sweep any team, we've learned that. In order for us to mature as a program we need to understand how to finish weekends. I'm hopeful that as a program we're ready to take that next step."

Vermont closes out the season series with UConn tomorrow afternoon at 4 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at UVMathletics.com/tickets, or in person one hour before the game at the UVM Athletic Ticket Office in the front of Gutterson Fieldhouse.

Fans are encouraged to bring their skates on Saturday and take part in the annual Postgame Skate with the Cats. Fans of all ages will be able to skate with the team for 25 minutes following the game.

NOTES: Vermont has defeated UConn in five straight games, and shut them out in four consecutive games ... The five straight wins are the most Vermont has ever had against a Hockey East opponent ... Amanda Pelkey has a goal in five straight games, and seven points over that span ... Her 16 goals on the season is tied for second most in the NCAA ... The Catamounts sit in third place in Hockey East with a record of 5-3-1 ... Madison Litchfield is the first freshman in Hockey East to pick up a shutout this season.