Poirier and Lucier's Offense Propel Huskies Past Vermont Academy

The Huskies punched their ticket to the Lakes Region Championship in dominant fashion, earning a commanding 5–0 semifinal victory over a physical Vermont Academy squad. From the opening puck drop, New Hampton set the tone. Vermont brought a heavy, physical style, but the Huskies played through contact, moved the puck efficiently, and consistently generated quality chances in the offensive zone. Their puck possession was overwhelming, as they controlled play from start to finish and outshot Vermont 65–8 on the night. The offensive surge was fueled in large part by the dynamic play of freshman defenders Emilie Poirier ’29 and Avery Lucier ’29, who each recorded four-point performances. Their poise at the blue line, ability to extend plays, and smart decision-making ignited the Huskies’ attack and kept pressure firmly in Vermont’s end.

Senior Captain Kelsey Baker ’26 opened the scoring, setting the momentum early. Poirier ’29 added a goal of her own to cap off her standout night, and Kiara Drake ’27 buried two to further extend the lead. The balanced attack and contributions from the back end highlighted the Huskies’ depth and confidence at this crucial point in the season. Defensively, the Huskies were just as sharp. Goaltender Elizabeth Vincent ’27 was perfect between the pipes, turning away all eight shots she faced to secure the shutout. With the emphatic semifinal win, the Huskies advance to the Lakes Region Championship game, where they will look to repeat as tournament champions against St. Paul’s. Puck drops at 4:00 PM on Saturday, 2/28, as the Huskies aim to cap off their Lakes Region run with another title.