BURLINGTON, Vt. -- Rookie Lea Dumais of Beaconsfield, Que., scored the overtime winner as McGill rallied from a two-goal deficit to defeat the University of Vermont 3-2 in women's exhibition hockey, Sunday, at Gutterson Fieldhouse.

The victory was McGill's fourth straight against an NCAA team -- including victories over Yale and RPI last season -- and improved their all-time record against the Catamounts to 8-1-1 since their first rendezvous in 1998.

Dumais, a 5-foot-4 management freshman, found the back of the net at 2:51 of the sudden-death overtime period, to record her first career goal as a member of the Martlets. She was assisted by Sidonie Chard of Kingston, Ont., who earned her first career point on the play, and captain Melodie Daoust of Valleyfield, Que., who helped set up all three McGill goals.

"Lea is one of two rookies out of Dawson College that we've got on the team this year," said head coach Peter Smith of the overtime hero. "She works hard, is a smart player and she's going to have a real good future."

Vermont held a 37-35 edge in shots, including a 16-7 advantage in the second period, but McGill had all four shots in overtime. The Martlets blocked 18 pucks in the contest, including a game-high five by 5-foot-3 defenceman Zoe Todd of Vancouver.

"We had a bit of a lull in the second period but we hung around," said Smith. "In the third period we did a real good job. We managed the puck way better than we had in the second."

After a scoreless opening stanza, Vermont's Alyssa Gorecki opened the scoring just 13 seconds into the middle period. Teammate Cassidy Campeau added another on the power play at 16:41, giving the Catamounts a short-lived 2-0 lead.

Nicole Howlett, a science sophomore from Delta, B.C., brought the Martlets within one with a power-play marker of her own just 93 seconds later at 18:14, assisted by Jade Downie-Landry and Daoust.

Downie-Landry, a psychology freshman from St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., buried a power-play goal at 8:54 of the third to tie the score at 2-2. Olivia Atkinson of Toronto and Daoust were credited with the assists.

The Martlets went 2-for-8 with the man-advantage, while Vermont was 1-for-8.

"We haven't worked on it much but it's started to come along," said Smith of his special teams' improvement. "I'm happy with where we're going. We gave up one on the penalty-kill but right at the end of their power-play. We scored two today on the PP and we had one yesterday as well.

"It moves a little bit slower with so many young players," added Smith, whose roster features 11 rookies, "But they sure work hard."

McGill goalie Tricia Deguire, a physical education freshman from Sherbrooke, Que., started for the sixh straight outing and made 35 stops to earn her second career win.

Three goaltenders split time for the Catamounts. Madison Litchfield saved all 13 shots faced in the first, Sydney Scobee stopped six of seven pucks in the second, and Melissa Black played out the game and took the loss after making 13 saves on 15 shots in 22:51.

McGill, which improved to 2-4-0 in preseason play, will host Moncton and Toronto in the Martlet Invitational tournament, Sept. 30 to Oct. 2 at McConnell Arena. Vermont visits Union College on Oct. 4.

MARTLET MURMURS: Five legendary figures from McGill are among the latest crop of inductees headed for the Quebec Sports Hall of Fame during an induction ceremony slated for Sept. 28, 2016. Heading the list of laureates are Jean-Philippe Darche and Kim St-Pierre. Darche, was an All-Canadian linebacker with the University's football Redmen and went on to a lengthy pro career in the CFL and NFL. St-Pierre, an All-Canadian goaltender with the hockey Martlets, was a three-time Olympic gold medalist and had an extensive career with the Canadian national team. Rounding out the McGillians are track, hockey and football star Percival Molson and swimmer George Vernot, both former Olympians, as well as legendary football and hockey coach Frank Shaughnessy, Sr. All five were previously inducted to the McGill Sports Hall of Fame.

FOR MORE INFO:
Kirsten Whelan or Earl Zukerman
McGill Sports Info Office
(514) 398-7012