Dartmouth Downs Vermont in 2018-19 Home Opener, 3-1

Tuesday, November 6

Hanover, N.H.

7:00 PM

Dartmouth College

2-4-0

Vermont

2-5-3

Vermont

Dartmouth

Photo by: Doug Austin

Dartmouth Downs Vermont in 2018-19 Home Opener, 3-1

11/6/2018 7:24:00 PM | Women's Ice Hockey

Box Score

Tess Bracken scores twice, including the winner as Big Green knock off visiting Catamounts.

By: Pat Salvas

HANOVER, N.H. – Senior Tess Bracken scored her second and third goals of the season as the Dartmouth women's hockey team defeated Vermont, 3-1, Tuesday night for its second straight win.

After five games away from Hanover to start the 2018-19 season, Tuesday's non-conference tilt marked the home opener for the Big Green (2-4-0) at Thompson Arena.

The result pushed Dartmouth's all-time record against the Catamounts (2-4-3) to 38-6-0 in 44 all-time meetings between the two regional rivals.

"I'm obviously very pleased with the outcome," head coach Laura Schuler said. "We played really well in the first and third periods, but there is still part of the game we need to get better at.

"We're going to keep working hard to put a full game together on a more consistent basis," she added.

The Big Green got the scoring started when Bracken intercepted a defensive zone pass between the Catamount defensemen and tucked a nifty backhand into the top corner over the glove of netminder Blanka Skodova 11:23 into the game.

That 1-0 lead would carry over to the midway point of the second period until Vermont finally cashed in on one of their nine shots in the frame. A puck from the point was knocked down by a Dartmouth defender in the high slot and then redirected between the circles by Theresa Schafzahl, causing the puck to trickle by Christine Honor's left pad as she was expecting the shot to her right.

Bracken's second goal of the night broke the tie 2:49 into the third. Her one-timer on the power play from inside the blueline crossed up Skodova as the netminder tried to reach across her body with her glove. However, her timing was off and the puck sailed into the top corner for the go-ahead goal.

The third goal of the night for the home team was the result of an interesting play that left many on the ice confused. Sara McClanahan carried the puck into the offensive zone, made a move through the defender's leg before seemingly jamming it into the pads of Skodova. When the dust settled, there were four players in crease with the puck in the net and McClanahan standing off to the side.

The play was reviewed, but determined to be a good goal, the second of the season for the rookie forward.

That's how the game would end as Honor finished with 22 saves, including 10 in the final period with the visitors looking for the equalizer. Skodova finished her night with 24, but allowed the three goals to pick up the loss.

The Big Green continue the homestand this weekend with a pair against RIT. Friday's game is scheduled for 6 p.m., while Saturday's game is a 3 p.m. contest. Both games from Thompson Arena will be carried live on ESPN+.