Women’s hockey geared up for their first 2025 Hockey East tournament game against College of the Holy Cross last night at Gutterson Fieldhouse.
Following a Feb. 22 senior day loss to Northeastern, seven graduating players took the ice in the elimination match with the potential to be their last in green and gold.
Vermont ranked a spot above No. 9 Holy Cross in conference standings ahead of the game, despite the Catamounts’ 0-3 record against the Crusaders in the regular season.
Holy Cross set the tone for a toss up game between familiar lineups with a goal in 48 seconds after the first puck drop.
Graduate forward and captain Maddy Skelton redeemed Vermont’s early concession with a power play goal, leveling the scoreline at 1-1 going into the first intermission.
The Cats opened the second period with nine shots on goal and zero attempts by Holy Cross. Vermont’s stamina on both sides of the rink would later prove the difference maker with their season on the line.
Pressure on the Crusaders’ defense paid off for sophomore forward Rose-Marie Brochu, who found the net at 18:08 in the second period for a 2-1 edge over Holy Cross.
Nearing the end of the third, a turnover in Vermont’s defensive zone allowed Holy Cross a backhand goal to tie the score at 2-2 with five minutes left in regulation. With no leader by the horn, the teams headed into a sudden-death overtime.
The Cats continued to overwhelm the Crusaders by the halfway mark in the extra period, with 40 total shots on goal to Holy Cross’ 20.
A UVM counterattack put first-year forward Oona Havana in front of the Holy Cross goal unmarked, giving way for a combination with sophomore forward and Vermont native Cecilia DesLauriers for a goal and immediate playoff victory.
“It was spectacular. We worked very hard, we battled all game long and especially in overtime,” said Carl Brochu, father of Vermont’s second goalscorer Rose-Marie Brochu.
The 3-2 win advances Vermont to the quarterfinals where they’ll visit No. 2 Boston University in a matchup this Saturday, March 1 at 4 p.m.
Although UVM has never won the Hockey East title, the women’s team has neared an appearance in the championship game in recent years, reaching the semifinals twice in the last five seasons.
“They just need to keep doing what they’re doing, cause they’ve had some good games where they’ve played really well against upper-level teams,” said fan Ken Yeates.
