Snikeris Makes 29 Saves; Ciotti Scores First Goal

BURLINGTON, Vt. – Vermont broke open a 2-1 game with a pair of goals in the third period, beating Yale 4-1 in the Bulldogs' season opener Friday night at Gutterson Fieldhouse. Senior goaltender Jackee Snikeris made 29 saves, and freshman forward Jenna Ciotti scored Yale's lone goal. The game marked the debut of Joakim Flygh as Yale's head coach.

Forward Teddy Fortin opened the scoring for Vermont with a power play goal at 16:34 of the first period, grabbing the rebound of a shot by forward Chelsea Rapin behind the net and quickly wrapping it around the right side of the net.

Yale was outshot 12-6 in the opening period, but shots evened up 10-10 in the second. The Catamounts extended their lead when defenseman Saleah Morrison's shot deflected off a defender and past Snikeris' glove to put Vermont up 2-0 at 10:05.

The Bulldogs have aligned their top returning scorer from last season, senior forward Bray Ketchum, with a pair of freshmen this year, and that line paid dividends with a goal that pulled Yale within 2-1 at 17:49 of the second. Ketchum and Jackie Raines picked up assists when Ciotti grabbed a loose puck off Raines' skate and fired a wrist shot into the upper right corner of the net.

Vermont (1-2-2) scored quickly in the third to re-establish control of the game. Defenseman Peggy Wakeham grabbed the rebound after Snikeris made a save on forward Celeste Doucet at 3:31.

Doucet capped the scoring by adding an empty-net goal with Yale on a power play at 19:28. Roxanne Douville made 19 saves to earn the win in goal for the Catamounts.

The same two teams play again Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m.

Report by Sam Rubin '95 (sam.rubin@yale.edu), Yale Sports Publicity