UVM FIELD HOCKEY NOTEBOOK
The University of Vermont field hockey team returns to Burlington for its home opener against the Rider University Broncs on Sunday (Sept. 6) at Moulton Winder Field at 1 p.m. The game will be streamed for free via the America East Digital Network at AmericaEast.tv.
 
RELATED LINKS
AmericaEast.tv
 
ABOUT VERMONT
The Catamounts opened their season this past week with contests against Hofstra and Sacred Heart. UVM fell to the Pride by a score of 4-2 in the season opener and picked up their first win Sunday against Sacred Heart in a 2-0 decision.
 
Senior Molly Higgins and freshman Lauren Tucker put points on the board against Hofstra with a goal each. Sophomore Lena Benwood tallied a combined 20 saves in the two games, including 14 against Hofstra and her third career shutout vs. Sacred Heart.
 
TUCKER EARNS CONFERENCE HONORS
Lauren Tucker, a freshman out of Brisbane, Australia, earned America East Conference Rookie of the Week honors after her weekend road performance. Tucker recorded a goal in her first career game against Hofstra and a pair of goals in UVM's victory over Sacred Heart. In Sunday's match against SHU, Tucker was the lone scorer in the 2-0 shutout against the Pioneers.

SCOUTING RIDER
The Rider University Broncs bring back eight starters from the 2014 squad that advanced to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Title Game. The senior class is led by defender Melyssa Alonso, midfielder Rachel Ippolite and goalie Joelle Prettyman. Rider was picked to finish fourth in the MAAC in the Preseason Coaches' Poll after finishing 11-9 (3-2 MAAC) last season.

The Broncs have started the 2015 campaign with a 2-0 record after weekend victories over Lehigh and Georgetown. Behind a goal and assist from junior Carlota Alsina and a shutout from senior Joelle Prettyman, Rider posted a 3-0 win at Lehigh. In a late effort, the Broncs edged Georgetown with a breakaway goal in the last 16 seconds of regulation for a 1-0 victory.
 
THE SERIES
Sunday marks the fourth meeting between the Catamounts and the Broncs. Rider leads the series vs. Vermont 3-0-0 with their most recent meeting last season ending in a 2-1, double-overtime victory.
 
WHO'S NEXT
UVM heads back on the road for a pair of contests in Ann Arbor, Michigan next weekend. The Catamounts will face the Michigan Wolverines on Friday (Sept. 11) at 6 p.m. and Davidson on Saturday (Sept. 12) at 4 p.m. They will return to Moulton Winder Field shortly after for a home match against Holy Cross on Wednesday, Sept. 16 at 3 p.m.
 
KEEP UP WITH THE CATS
There are several ways to keep up with all field hockey news, notes and results in Catamount Country:
Twitter – follow @UVMFieldhky and when tweeting about the Catamounts use the hashtag #VCats
Instagram – follow us at instagram.com/vermontcatamounts
Facebook – like us at facebook.com/vermont.catamounts
YouTube – watch game highlights and other features at youtube.com/uvmathletics
 
Catamount Score Alerts - Can't make it to a game and not near a computer, receive the final score from all games via a text message to your mobile device. Click here to sign up for the Catamount Score Alerts for field hockey and any other teams. Message and data rates may apply.
 
America East Digital Network - Watch all home games and America East games on the America East Digital Network. This season the University of Vermont is an official member of the America East Digital Network. All UVM home games and all America East road games can be seen on the network for FREE at AmericaEast.tv. Visit the field hockey schedule for links to the video streams.

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