BREAKING: Vermont’s Women’s Hockey Secures Thrilling 4-1 Victory Over Merrimack in Conference Opener, Havana Nets Two Goals, Cliche Earns 19 Saves
NORTH ANDOVER, MA – In a thrilling start to their conference play in 2026, the Vermont Catamounts’ women’s ice hockey team has secured a hard-fought 4-1 win over the Merrimack Warriors. The victory, which took place at Lawler Arena, is the Catamounts’ third straight win and sees them earn crucial points in the Hockey East standings.
Oona Havana was the standout player of the night, scoring two goals for Vermont, including the game-winning goal in the third period. The seventh and sixth goals of Havana’s season were part of a career-first multi-goal game. Meanwhile, Zoe Cliche anchored the Catamounts’ defense with a strong performance in net, making 19 total saves to secure the victory.
The Warriors struck first with a powerplay goal in the first period from Emma Pfeffer, but the Catamounts responded strongly in the second period, with Kaylee Lewis tying the game just five minutes in. Havana then scored her first goal of the game on a powerplay of their own, with her backhanded effort putting Vermont ahead 2-1 at the halfway point of the game.
Havana’s second goal in the third period, assisted by Ashley Kokavec, extended Vermont’s lead to 3-1. Although a potential powerplay goal was disallowed due to a hand punch, Rose-Marie Brochu sealed the victory with an empty net goal in the game’s dying moments.
Following the win, Head Coach Jim Plumer praised his team’s resilience, saying, “Great team win and really proud of our resilience to recover from a subpar first period and giving up the first goal… This team put together two really strong periods, and we found our rhythm. I am excited to see us keep putting together consistent efforts.”
Vermont outshot Merrimack 44-20, with a dominant 20-8 margin in the second period. The Catamounts will look to build on this victory when they take on Merrimack again tomorrow, with a 2 p.m. puck drop at Lawler Arena. Fans can catch Saturday’s contest live on ESPN+.
With each win, Vermont Mutual Insurance Group will donate $100 to the Ronald McDonald House through their ‘Cat’s Win, Community Wins’ initiative. Additionally, Community Bank N.A. will donate $200 to Special Olympics Vermont for every goal scored by the Catamounts this season.
Cats Pounce in Pressure Situation, Top Merrimack in Opener
The Vermont Catamounts (9-12-2, 3-7-1 HEA) faced a critical conference matchup against Merrimack (3-16-2, 0-11-0) on Friday night, securing a crucial 4-1 victory at Lawler Arena. The win marked the Catamounts’ third consecutive victory and demonstrated their resilience in a tightly contested game.
First Period turbulence leads to Catamount comeback
The Warriors opened the scoring, going up 1-0 on a power-play goal by Emma Pfeffer at 10:41 in the first period. Merrimack held the lead until the second period when Vermont rallied to secure the victory. Zoe Cliche put in a valiant effort in net, stopping 19 shots and earning her third straight win.
Havana’s haul fuels Catamount comeback
Vermont’s Oona Havana led the scoring charge with two goals, her first career multi-goal game and seventh and eighth goals on the season. Havana’s first goal tied the game at 1-1, while her second staked the Catamounts to a 3-1 lead in the third period. Havana’s breakout performance was a key factor in the Catamounts’ victory.
Coach Plumer’s words echo team resilience
Following the game, Head Coach Jim Plumer praised his team’s resilience, stating, “Great team win and really proud of our resilience to recover from a subpar first period and giving up the first goal. Our team put together two really strong periods, and we found our rhythm. I am excited to see us keep putting together consistent efforts.” Plumer’s words echoed the Cats’ ability to bounce back and control the game when it mattered most.
Inside the Box Score
- Havana’s Multi-Goal Performance: Oona Havana scored two goals against Merrimack, recording her first career multi-goal game and bringing her season total to eight goals.
- Mesplède’s Multi-Assist Game: Julia Mesplède recorded two assists, her second career multi-assist game.
- O’Hara’s Milestone Game: Lauren O’Hara played in her 100th career game, registering one assist and two shots on goal.
Cat’s Win, Community Win
Through Vermont Mutual’s Cat’s Win, Community Win’s initiative, a $100 donation will be made to the Ronald McDonald House due to the Catamounts’ victory. Additionally, Community Bank, N.A. will donate $200 to Special Olympics Vermont for every goal scored by the men’s and women’s teams this season, totaling $200 after Friday’s game.
Up Next
The Catamounts look to close out their weekend series against Merrimack, with a 2 p.m. puck drop scheduled for Saturday’s contest at Lawler Arena. Catch the action live on ESPN+.
FAQs
Q: How many shots did Vermont outnumber Merrimack by?
A: Vermont outshot Merrimack 44-20, including 20 shots on goal in the second period.
Q: Who leads Vermont in goals this season?
A: Oona Havana leads the Catamounts with eight goals on the season.
Q: Which player registered her 100th career game for Vermont?
A: Lauren O’Hara played in her 100th career game for the Catamounts on Friday night.
Did you know?
Pro tip: Keep an eye on Oona Havana’s progress this season. After scoring eight goals in her first 23 games, Havana could be poised for a breakout campaign, providing a significant boost to the Catamounts’ offense.
Stay Tuned: With a talented roster and a strong coaching staff, the Vermont Catamounts are positioned to make waves in Hockey East this season. Be sure to keep tabs on their progress as they fight for a playoff spot.