In such a hard-fought, well-played game it was only fitting for the game to be decided in the final minutes. A Northeastern goal by Marie Desrosiers with 1:23 remaining in the third period dashed the Cats’ hopes and gave Northeastern a 2-1 victory Saturday in the second to last home game for five UVM seniors.
The goal came just over two minutes after UVM had tied the score at 1-1 on a goal from Kristi Anderson, her second of the season. Anderson’s goal appeared to give the Cats a much needed spark, but Desrosiers snuffed out that spark with her fifth tally on the year, and sent the UVM home with a sour taste going into Sunday’s final home contest of the season. “We played really hard and we put out a good effort, but it’s just hard to come up short,” said UVM senior captain Abbey Kaknes.
The game was tight throughout and scoreless after the first period. The teams matched up well and combined for only 10 shots on goal during the stanza, an indicator that a great game would surely follow. Things opened up, however, during the second period when Northeastern opened the scoring on a goal by Crystal Rochon just five minutes in. The goal was Rochon’s team-leading 15th of the season.
The teams traded penalties during the rest of the period but Vermont was unable to level the score. Vermont had 12 shots on goal through the first two thirds of the game while Northeastern managed 13 attempts, but both teams were stymied by solid play in net and on defense.
Being the last series in Gutterson for seniors Caitlin Barnes, Kate Hudspeth, Hilary Johnson, Kaknes, and Lindsey Tilsbury the loss was especially hard.
“It’s been an incredible experience, but we try to keep our emotions in check and just try to go out and play our best,” Kaknes said of her final weekend at home. “It’s been a huge part of my life these last four years and it’s hard to see it come to an end. I’ll always remember the experience. I’ll always have the pride of playing for my school.”
All told, UVM goalie Jenilee Roy stopped 22 of the 24 shots she faced. Northeaster goalie, Marisa Hourihan, made 19 saves to earn the win. Northeastern had twice as many penalties (8) as Vermont (4), but both teams managed to kill off 100% of their penalties in the game.
The loss leaves Vermont’s record at 3-26-2 on the year with 3 games left in the regular season, and 1-16-2 in Hockey East play. Northeastern moves to 6-23-1 (5-14-1 Hockey East) overall with the Saturday’s win.
Senior day is Sunday, February 19 at 2pm against Northeastern. UVM will close out it’s regular season next weekend on February 25th and 26th at UNH. Each game is set to start at 2pm.
