BURLINGTON, Vt. - The Vermont Catamounts (2-1-3, 0-1-1 HEAW) experienced their first loss of the 2019-20 season against the seventh-ranked Boston College Eagles (6-0-0, 5-0-0 HEAW) in the Rally Against Cancer Game, presented by Inspired Closets on Sunday afternoon at Gutterson Fieldhouse.
COACH'S QUOTE
"I am proud of how we played today," said head coach Jim Plumer. "It's tough to not get the win, but I think we are starting to see how good we can be. This group plays an exciting and effective brand of hockey and I am excited at where we are at this point in the season. Now the key is to keep getting better every week."
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Hockey East foes skated to a scoreless opening period as the Catamounts outshot the Eagles 12-10. Blanka Škodová (26 saves) made several key stops to keep Boston College off the sheet in the first stanza.
- Vermont struck first in a three-goal second period when Alyssa Holmes netted her first goal of the season. The junior forward batted a loose puck past Kelly Pickreign (33 saves) for the go-ahead goal. Abby Cleary and Lilly Holmes were credited with assists.
- Boston College answered with goals from Hannah Bilka and Savannah Norcross in the final six minutes of the middle frame to take a 2-1 lead in to the break.
- Bilka added her second goal of the game at 4:31 in the third period to grab a two-goal lead for the Eagles. Kelly Browne had her game-high second assist on the power-play marker.
- Theresa Schafzahl answered on the power play with 10:28 left in the third period to bring the Catamounts to within one. Corinne McCool directed a pass to the sophomore who snapped a shot from the circle into back of the net. Val Caldwell had the secondary assist on the goal.
- UVM nearly forced overtime in the final seconds of regulation when Abby Cleary one-timed a shot from the slot, but a BC defender slid across and blocked the puck from finding the open net.
NOTES
- Vermont's unbeaten streak to start the season ends at five games, which is the longest in program history.
- The Catamounts outshot the Eagles for the first time since Feb. 23, 2018 with a 35-29 advantage.
UP NEXT
Vermont returns to action on Friday (Oct. 25) when it travels to North Andover, Massachusetts for the start of a two-game road series against the Merrimack Warriors. Puck drop is slated for 2 p.m. at Lawler Rink.
