How UVM women's hockey knocked off the No. 1 team in the country for the first time ever

The University of Vermont women's hockey team pulled off a stunning win on Friday: The Catamounts took down the No. 1 team in the country for the first time in program history.

On the strength of Montpelier native Bella Parento's go-ahead goal and goaltender Jessie McPherson's out-stretched save in the final minute, Vermont seized a 2-1 victory over Northeastern in Hockey East action at Matthews Arena in Boston.

Red-hot UVM (15-9-2, 12-6-1), now second in league standings, captured its sixth straight win and halted the Huskies' 20-game unbeaten streak.

"Just an absolutely amazing performance by so many people today and an amazing feeling to finish this game," UVM coach Jim Plumer said in a statement. "Northeastern is a great team and it took our absolute best effort to beat them today. Now we have to play this way through the homestretch of the season."

Parento struck for the winner on a power play at 13:45 of the third period, while McPherson's 35 saves included a door-step stop with about 37 seconds to play to preserve UVM's historic triumph.

Kristina Shanahan gave UVM a 1-0 lead in the first period and also assisted on Parento's tally. For Northeastern (21-3-1, 16-3-1), Maureen Murphy equalized in the second frame and goalie Aerin Frankel turned back 25 UVM shots.

Here's a closer look at three key plays that allowed UVM to upset Northeastern, last year's NCAA runner-up.

Shanahan with deft finish to strike first

After Theresa Schafzahl blocked a Northeastern shot, UVM raced into transition. Shanahan capped the rush with patience, gathering a pass in the left faceoff and then lifting the puck top corner for the 1-0 margin at 11:59 of the first.

Schafzahl and Alyssa Holmes earned assists on Shanahan's 12th goal of the season, and her sixth in the last four games.

Parento nets winner on power play

A tripping penalty on the Huskies opened the door for the Catamounts to regain the lead in the third period.

In the lead-up to the game-breaking goal, Holmes won the faceoff — the Catamount graduate student won a team-high 11 faceoffs Friday — and, moments later, fed Shanahan, who then found a wide-open Parento in the slot. The Vermont native uncorked a wrister through traffic with 30 seconds left on the power play for the 2-1 advantage.

The sophomore defenseman's two goals this season were both game-winners; Parento struck in OT vs. Rensselaer in UVM's season-opening win on Oct. 1.

McPherson stone-walls NU's final bid

McPherson, last year's Hockey East rookie of the year, posted a season-high save total Friday and also turned back a Northeastern breakaway attempt in the second period.

But McPherson saved her best in the game's final minute.

Northeastern kept alive a rebound chance with under 40 seconds to play and had Chloe Aurard, a three-time Hockey East first-team all-star who has 14 goals on the season, in position for a one-time finish.

McPherson, though, went full extension for the sprawling glove save on Aurard's game-tying attempt.

"First, Jessie McPherson was simply outstanding. Captain Shanahan got us going early and gave us the confidence to be able to play our game," Plumer said. "And our penalty kill came through in the clutch."

UVM returns to action Sunday when it hosts New Hampshire at 2 p.m.

Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter: @aabrami5.

This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: How UVM women's hockey knocked off the No. 1 team in the country