The calendar has flipped to 2026, and all the University of Vermont winter sports teams are back on campus after a short holiday break. The men’s and women’s hockey teams are preparing to continue their Hockey East play, while America East play is set to begin on the basketball courts.

Coach Alisa Kresge’s team has already started its America East campaign with a win, while the men’s basketball team opens conference play on the road at New Hampshire. Here’s how the Catamounts teams performed during the first week of January 2026:

Thursday, Jan. 1

Women’s Basketball

Vermont 72, Albany 56

Vermont Stats:
– Keira Hanson: 19 points
– Jadyn Weltz: 17 points, 5 assists
– Nikola Priede: 15 points
– Malia Lenz: 12 points, 6 rebounds
– Savanna Creel: 6 rebounds

Albany Stats:
– Delanie Hill: 33 points

Note: In a rematch of the 2025 America East championship game, Vermont dominated the contest, shooting 50% from the field and 52% from beyond the arc. Four starters scored double-digit points, and the Catamounts scored 25 points in the fourth quarter. Weltz hit one of her five 3-pointers with 4:37 left in the second quarter, giving Vermont a 22-19 lead. The Catamounts would never trail again.

Friday, Jan. 2

Women’s Hockey

Vermont 1, Dartmouth 0

Vermont Stats:
– Julia Mesplede: 1 goal
– Brooke George: 1 assist
– Rose-Marie Brochu: 1 assist
– Zoe Cliche: 18 saves

Dartmouth Stats:
– Michaela Hesova: 31 saves

Note: Vermont snapped its three-game losing streak, earning its first win since Nov. 28.

Saturday, Jan. 3

Men’s Basketball

Vermont 81, New Hampshire 61

Vermont Stats:
– TJ Hurley: 20 points
– Gus Yalden: 18 points, 5 rebounds
– Sean Blake: 17 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists
– TJ Long: 6 points, 6 rebounds
– Ben Michaels: 8 points

New Hampshire Stats:
– KiJan Robinson: 22 points
– Belal El Shakery: 11 points, 6 rebounds
– RJ Kennedy: 10 points

Note: The Catamounts opened up America East play with a dominant victory that only featured one lead change. Vermont shot 53.3% from the field, and eight players contributed points.

Women’s Basketball

Vermont 72, New Hampshire 56

Women’s Hockey

Vermont 2, Dartmouth 1

Vermont Stats:
– Lauren O’Hara: 1 goal
– Stella Retrum: 1 goal, 1 assist
– Natalie Zarcone: 1 assist
– Kaylee Lewis: 1 assist
– Anna Podein: 1 assist
– Zoe Cliche: 26 saves

Dartmouth Stats:
– Shae Messner: 1 goal
– Ella Inglis: 1 assist
– Hamilton Doster: 1 assist
– Michaela Hesova: 27 saves

Note: Vermont scored two unanswered goals, including the team’s first goal coming 29 seconds after Dartmouth scored at 18:59 in the first period.

Men’s Hockey

Vermont 3, RPI 0

Vermont Stats:
– Blake Steenerson: 1 goal
– Jens Richards: 1 goal, 1 assist
– Daniel Sambuco: 1 goal
– Colin Kessler: 2 assists
– Duncan Ramsay: 1 assist
– Dawson Good: 1 assist
– Aiden Wright: 30 saves

RPI Stats:
– Nate Krawchuk: 27 saves

Note: Vermont scored all of its goals in the third period.

Contact Information

Alex Abrami can be reached at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter: @aabrami5.

Judith Altneu can be contacted at JAltneu@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter: @Judith_Altneu.