To close out the 2024-25 regular season, Northeastern traveled to Vermont this past weekend to take on the Catamounts. After dropping a 1-0 game at Matthews Arena earlier in the month, the Huskies were looking to enact some revenge, however they were unable to do so until Saturday, as they dropped the opening game 3-2.
WRBB photographer Jacob Oshinsky also traveled to Vermont, and what follows are photos from both games at the Gutterson Fieldhouse.
Game One
After a slow start to the first period in Friday’s game, the second period escalated quite quickly. Within the first 4:01 of action, the Catamounts jumped out to a 3-0 lead, thanks to two goals in the opening minute from Maddy Skelton and Ashley Kokavec.
Following the third goal – scored by Evelyne Blais-Savoie – head coach Dave Flint opted to swap netminders. Freshman Lisa Jönsson, who had gotten the start, was removed after allowing the trio of tallies on just eight shots. In her place went sophomore Mattie Robitzer, who had made just one start to this point in the season.
With Robitzer in net, Northeastern continued to pressure, outshooting the Catamounts 11-9 in the second period. Heading into the last frame of regulation, UVM still held the 3-0 lead, but the Huskies started turning the tide in the opening five minutes.
First was junior Lily Brazis, who capitalized in front of the net off of passes from senior captain Taze Thompson and fellow junior Holly Abela, who had been bumped up to the third line without the presence of freshman Morgan Jackson in the lineup for NU.
Senior star Skylar Irving brought the Huskies even closer with her 13th score of the season almost four minutes after Brazis’ goal. Northeastern continued to press in the final 14 minutes of regulation, however outstanding work from goaltender Jane Gervais kept UVM ahead. When the final buzzer sounded, the third goal was the difference, as the Catamounts took the game 3-2.
Game Two
Saturday’s game also started with the Catamounts striking first, this time thanks to a power play tally 4:09 into the second period. With senior defender Taylor Guarino in the box, UVM took advantage of the open ice to score just their 10th power play goal of the season, thanks to Natalie Zarcone.
After giving up the goal early in the second for the second-straight afternoon, the Huskies waited until the third period to respond, though they responded in a similar way; with two quick goals.
First up was Lily Shannon, as the junior continued her high scoring season with her 14th goal of the year. The forward pushed in the puck five-hole on senior netminder Sydney Correa after a centering pass from Éloïse Caron.
Soon after the Shannon tally, in fact just 37 seconds after, Thompson found the back of the net for her first goal since Jan. 17. The captain picked up the rebound and easily slotted it past Correa for her seventh score of the season. Brazis and senior Tory Mariano registered the assists on the play, after the defender’s shot from the point was first touched by the forward in front of the cage.
An empty netter from none other than Irving sealed things for the Huskies, as they skated to the win 3-1. Of note, Guarino recorded the first two points in her NCAA career in her last regular season games, with assists on Irving’s goal Friday and on Shannon’s Saturday.
The sophomore Robitzer, after a tough performance against Providence back in January, rebounded well in her 94 minutes of action this weekend. The netminder made 18 saves Saturday, and 28 total with just one goal against. All three Huskies goaltenders are now above .900 save percentage, with Robitzer at a .907%
Unfortunately, because of the loss Friday and the wins around the league of Boston College and Providence, the Huskies find themselves outside of the top four in the Hockey East standings for the first time since 2010-2011. They will not be hosting a first-round playoff game, and instead will travel to Providence to take on the Friars in the No. 4/No. 5 matchup on Saturday.
WRBB will have live coverage from Providence for Huskies vs. Friars in the Hockey East Quarterfinal on Saturday. Emma Sullivan, Zeno Minotti, and Armaan Vij have the call from Schneider Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m.