BURLINGTON, Vt. - The Saint Michael's College women's ice hockey team opened its 2021-22 campaign with an exhibition game at Division I University of Vermont on Saturday at Gutterson Fieldhouse, losing a 12-0 decision during the first meeting between the programs. The Purple Knights returned to action for the first time since Feb. 19, 2020, having not playing during the 2020-21 school year.

SAINT MICHAEL'S LEADERS

• Senior Jenna Harrison (Kitchener, Ontario/Wellesley), 3 blocked shots, 8x18 faceoffs
• Sophomore Jace Zapata (Brea, Calif./Gentry Academy), 3 blocked shots
• Sophomore Carissa Mudrak (Duluth, Minn./Gentry Academy), 19 saves in 27:55
• Senior Gabriella Dicomitis (Warwick, R.I./Williston Northampton School), 22 saves in 32:05 of relief

OPPONENT LEADERS

• Senior Theresa Schafzahl, 5 goals, 1 assist, +7
• Graduate student Kristina Shanahan, 2 goals, 4 assists, +6
• Sophomore Jessie McPherson, 5 saves in 39:52
• First-year Sydney Correa, 2 saves in 20:00 of relief

GAME FACTS

• The Purple Knights played their first exhibition game against a Division I school.
• Fifteen women - including 14 of the 19 skaters - got their first taste of game action as collegians, with the Purple Knights bringing aboard two classes totaling 19 student-athletes since the 2019-20 season.

THE ACTION

• Schafzahl's goal at 16:47 of the opening period was the only scoring during the first nearly 13 minutes of the contest.
• Schafzahl's shorthanded goal with 18 seconds to go capped a run of three Catamount goals in a matter of 6:48. Shanahan also potted a shortie 36 seconds into the second period, with Vermont tallying three times in the opening 2:48 of the stanza.
• The Purple Knights held the hosts off the board for the next 13:50, before Vermont scored twice late and added three third-period strikes.

NEXT SAINT MICHAEL'S GAME

• Oct. 2 at Sacred Heart University, 5:30 p.m.
• The Purple Knights open their regular-season slate that day with a non-league game against one of their New England Women's Hockey Alliance (NEWHA) counterparts.