NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Claire Dalton's penalty-shot goal with 43 seconds left lifted the Yale Bulldogs (3-11-0, 2-6-0 ECAC) over the Vermont Catamounts (5-10-4, 3-7-2 WHEA) in a high-scoring game Saturday afternoon at Ingalls Rink.
COACH'S QUOTE
"As expected, Yale came out strong looking to avenge yesterday's game and we just didn't match their intensity or execution," said head coach Jim Plumer. "I'm proud that we battled back from a two-goal deficit but all aspects of our game needed to be better today. Credit to Sierra Natzke for playing well in her collegiate debut."
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Vermont opened the scoring in a tightly contested first period. Anna Erickson rushed the puck out of the Catamounts' zone and saucered a pass to Kristina Shanahan in front of the Yale net where she made a nifty move around a stretched out Gianna Meloni (16 saves).
- Six goals were scored in the second period with a flurry of goals coming before the midway point. Claire Dalton tied the game for the Bulldogs at the five-minute mark of the frame and Ève-Audrey Picard retook the lead shortly after. At the 8:09 mark, Rebecca Vanstone knotted the game at 2-2.
- Yale added two goals in a span of 28 seconds late in the second stanza. Greta Skarzynski notched her first of the season on the power play and Vanstone added her second of the game. Sierra Natzke (11 saves) replaced Blanka Škodová (12 saves) in net for the Cats.
- Picard cut the lead to one with 2:15 left in the middle frame for her second goal of the game. Sammy Kolowrat fired a shot on net and Picard cleaned up the rebound for her team-leading fifth tally of the season.
- Alyssa Gorecki tied the game with 2:32 remaining in regulation on the power play. Abby Cleary sent a cross-ice pass to the senior captain in front of the Vermont goal who ripped a shot past Meloni for the equalizer.
- Dalton netted the clinching goal with the penalty shot after it was ruled that a Catamounts' defender covered the puck in the crease.
WHAT'S NEXT
Vermont returns from Winter Break Saturday (Jan. 5) for a Hockey East matchup against the Providence Friars. Puck drop is slated for 2 p.m. at Schneider Arena in Providence.
