Wildcats Win First Ever NEPSAC DII Championship
Vermont traveled to Worcester Ice Center for the NEPSAC Division II Championship at 1:00 pm against The Rivers School. It was the Wildcats first appearance in the NEPSAC tournament in program history. Skodova earned the start in net for the Wildcats, her 22nd of the season.
The game started out strong, both teams came out with something to prove. Once the Wildcats settled into the game they got to work and created some quality scoring opportunities. Both goalies stood tall, turning away all the shots they faced.
The second period Vermont was able to open the scoring. Chloe Aurard ‘18 scored off an assist from Kristyna Kaltounkova ‘20. With six minutes left in the period, Kaltounkova was able to put one in on the power play. Syd Royce ‘18 and Lotti Odnoga ‘18 were credited with the assists. Rivers was able to respond 50 seconds later to cut the deficit in half.
In the third period, the Wildcats pulled away. Two minutes into the period Kaltounkova buried another, with assists coming from Aurard and Jordan Loya ‘20. Rivers responded with ten minutes into the period to make it 3-2. However, that did not stop Aurard who capitalized by skating the length of the ice and deking the goalie. Kaltounkova and Klara Jandusikova ‘20 assisted on the goal. Kaltounkova capped off the scoring putting away an empty net goal with 20 seconds left in the game. Aurard and Holly Meredith ‘18 were credited with the assists. Skodova finished the game with 33 saves on 35 shots.
The Wildcats topped off their 20th anniversary with the programs first ever NEPSAC Division II Championship. Aurard was named the NEPSAC tournament MVP. The Wildcats finished the season with an overall record of 35-2-2, and undefeated in Division II play.
Thank you for all the support this season, and go Wildcats!
Vermont Academy is a coed college preparatory boarding and day school in southern Vermont, serving grades 9-12 plus a postgraduate year.
